Rodents bring more than just headaches
Rodents can pose a common challenge for many businesses, especially those in the food service, retail, and hospitality sectors. These pests are a nuisance and a significant threat to operations, capable of infiltrating a facility through the smallest openings. Once inside, they can quickly become a persistent issue without prompt and effective intervention. Rodent control is essential for any business to maintain a safe, sanitary, and welcoming environment for customers and employees.
Risks rodents pose to a business
Rodents are more than a mere inconvenience; they also pose many risks to your business. These pests are known for their ability to gnaw through almost anything, including walls, electrical wiring, and packaging, leading to costly repairs and an increased risk of electrical fires. In addition to physical damage, rodents pose a serious health risk through direct contact with surfaces, deposition of urine and droppings, and shedding hairs. These activities can spread pathogenic organisms of public health importance. The presence of rodents can also attract other pests, compounding the issue.
Common signs of rodents
Noticing the common signs of rodents in a business is crucial for early intervention and control. Here are some of the most common signs that indicate the presence of rodents in a business:
- Droppings: Rodent droppings can be found in numerous places such as attics, where food is stored, under sinks or inside cabinets, along walls, or in hidden storage rooms and basements.
- Gnaw marks: Finding gnaw marks on furniture, walls, or wires is a telling sign of rodent presence. These marks may also indicate the severity of an infestation, with newer marks appearing lighter in color and becoming darker as they age.
- Nests: Rodents build nests in secluded areas from shredded paper, fabric, or other fibrous materials. These nests may be found in boxes, among debris, or in voids in walls or ceilings.
- Rub marks: Rodents have glands in their skin that secrete oil. As they travel along walls or squeeze through gaps and openings, the oil mixes with dirt that has collected in their fur from the environment and gets deposited when they contact these surfaces.
- Strange noises: Hearing noises such as scratching, squeaking, or scurrying, especially at night, can indicate rodent activity within the premises. These sounds often come from walls, ceilings, or under the floor.
- Damaged goods: Finding damaged goods, especially food packages, is a clear sign of rodents. They can gnaw through almost anything, leaving behind a telltale mess.
- Pawprints: Pawprints in dusty areas can indicate that rodents have been inside. Pawprints are created by pads on the bottom of the paw. In some instances, claw marks can be seen.
Preventing rodents
The best strategy for controlling rodents is prevention. Reducing conducive conditions that are attractive to rodents, such as high vegetation, clutter, standing water, and improperly stored items around your property, as well as potential entry points along the perimeter, both high and low, can help prevent rodents from gaining access to the interior.
Rodent control for businesses
We understand every business has its unique challenges, so offer a variety of effective rodent control solutions to tackle rodent issues at your property. Additionally, we partner with you to identify areas conducive to rodent activity and share best practices to minimize the overall risk of infestation. Our rodent solutions include:
- Exclusion: Proper rodent protection begins with sealing up the exterior of your business to prevent rodent entry, known as exclusion. A Terminix Technician will thoroughly inspect the exterior of your facility for any gaps, cracks, or holes that could be a potential entry point for rodents. In addition, they will look for any signs of rodent activity, such as rub and gnaw marks or droppings, before determining the best materials to seal any openings.
- Exterior rodent management: We will inspect the outside of your facility for potential sanitation or environmental factors that may increase your risk of rodent activity. As needed, exterior traps or tamper‐resistant rodent stations may be implemented. To help keep them in place, exterior rodent stations will be locked, weighted, or secured to the ground or building. Rodent stations are inspected, cleaned, and maintained on an ongoing basis.
- Interior rodent management: A Terminix Technician will inspect all areas of your facility's interior to determine if rodent activity or evidence of activity is present and identify areas at risk of future rodent issues. They will develop a custom plan that includes restriction, treatment, and monitoring. Rodent devices may be installed along walls, near entry points, or in other areas identified as a risk or as required by internal, regulatory, or client audit requirements or guidelines.
- Escalated rodent services: If you're dealing with a significant rodent issue, Terminix offers mass rodent trapping and cleanout services. With Terminix rodent cleanup service, you get an inspection of all relevant areas for signs of rodent activity, followed by the deployment of rodent devices where signs of rodent activity were found. Devices will be maintained and moved as needed until the population of rodents is under control.
Terminix provides rodent control
If rodents are disrupting your business and threatening your operations, don't wait for the problem to worsen. Terminix provides professional rodent solutions for restaurants, offices, retail stores, food processing facilities, and more. Contact Terminix today to protect your facility with our expert rodent control solutions.