Rodent finds a seed on a food factory floor

Mice and rats are a common problem across the U.S., and they shouldn’t be allowed in your business. These pests can wreak havoc by damaging property, contaminating food supplies, and spreading diseases, leading to costly repairs and health risks. Keeping your business rodent-free is important for compliance, safeguarding your reputation, and protecting your financial interests.

Keep reading to learn about the most common rodents, the damage they can cause, and the most effective rodent control and prevention strategies for your business.

Rodents to Watch Out For

Roof rats, Norway rats, and house mice are rodents that often live close to humans, relying on them for food, water, and shelter. As opportunistic feeders, they seek out locations with easy access to food, which can lead to significant issues for businesses. They can damage inventory, disrupt daily operations, and harm your reputation. In industries like food service, retail, hospitality, and property management, vigilance for signs of rodents is crucial for safeguarding your business.

Roof Rats

Roof rats are typically found outdoors but often venture inside businesses seeking food and shelter, particularly in areas like attics, roofs, and chimneys. As proficient climbers, they can travel from tree branches or power lines to the roof, slipping through gaps as small as less than an inch in diameter.

Roof rats, ranging from light to dark brown, are smaller than their Norway rat counterparts, reaching lengths of up to 8 inches. Although they mainly eat seeds and plants, they are capable of chewing through materials like plastic and soft metals to get to food. These rats also hoard food for later. Signs of infestation include gnawed marks, electrical damage from chewed wires, greasy rub marks along their pathways, and droppings that are about ½ inch in length with pointed ends.

How To Help Prevent Roof Rats

Roof rats can access your business in no time if the environment is favorable. Help keep them out with these easy and practical techniques:

Inspect and Seal: Perform routine roof inspections to check for any holes or gaps and seal them to prevent rats from entering your building.
Maintain Cleanliness: Keep food prep and storage areas clean and organized, ensuring all food is properly sealed and stored to avoid attracting rats.
Trim Trees: Trim back tree branches that overhang or touch the roof, preventing rats from using them as a route to access the roof.
Dispose of Waste: Regularly dispose of trash and store dumpsters securely to minimize the risk of rats being attracted to food waste.

House Mice

House mice are always on the lookout for food and a comfortable, secure place to nest. They come in shades of light brown to dark gray and typically measure between 2 and 5 inches long. Due to their ability to squeeze through openings as small as the width of a pencil, it’s crucial to regularly check and seal any gaps to prevent an infestation.

Mice are mostly nocturnal, making it harder to catch them in the act when you and your staff aren’t present. However, signs of their presence, such as gnawed baseboards, chewed food packaging, and droppings, are usually visible. Their droppings are about a quarter-inch long, pointed at the ends and often found in clusters. Mice are drawn to carbs, particularly grains, oats, and fruits, and tend to nest near food sources, often in walls near kitchens or storage areas.

How To Help Prevent House Mice

If given the chance, mice can quickly infiltrate your business. Help stop them in their tracks with these simple, effective prevention tips:

Seal Holes and Cracks: Block any gaps or cracks in walls and floors with steel wool or caulk to prevent mice from entering your business.
Clean and Disinfect: Regularly clean and sanitize surfaces in food prep areas and kitchens to remove potential food sources, making the space less attractive to mice.
Sealed Containers: Store food in airtight containers and keep it off the floor to limit mice access and prevent contamination.
Maintain Vegetation: Trim back trees, shrubs, and plants, leaving a few feet of clear space between your building and the vegetation to stop mice from using them as entry points.

Norway Rats

Commonly referred to as brown rats, street rats, or sewer rats, Norway rats are omnivores with a keen sense of smell that aids them in locating food. These rodents can reach lengths of up to 11 inches, have brown or gray fur, and can squeeze through gaps as narrow as ¾ inch. A single female can produce as many as five litters annually.

Known for burrowing, Norway rats often nest underground. When they invade your business, they seek out hidden, dark areas such as basements or crawlspaces. These rats can carry pathogens that contaminate food and inventory, leading to persistent issues. Keep an eye out for signs like gnaw marks, greasy trails, scampering sounds, and droppings that are longer and pellet-shaped, though not as common as mouse droppings.

How to Help Prevent Norway Rats

Norway rats can quickly access your business if the environment is favorable. To help keep them out, follow these straightforward and efficient prevention steps:

Remove Moisture: Fix leaking pipes or faucets to eliminate water sources that attract rats.
Clean Trash Receptacles: Clean trash bins regularly and ensure dumpsters are securely sealed to keep rats from accessing food or shelter.
Trim Vegetation: Trim plants and shrubs around the building to remove potential hiding spots and burrowing areas for rats.
Store Food Properly: Store food in sealed containers and avoid leaving it exposed, especially overnight, to prevent attracting rats.

What to Do If You Suspect Rodents

Given how fast rodent infestations can spread, calling a pest control service like Batzner Pest Control is vital to protect your business. A technician will inspect your property, determine the rodent species present, and suggest effective removal and prevention methods. They will also provide advice on how to minimize future risks and ensure your business remains rodent-free. While there are several signs of rodent activity, the most obvious is seeing one, whether it’s alive or dead.

If a rat or mouse appears in or around your business, reach out to Batzner Pest Control as soon as possible to prevent the problem from growing.