Roof rats are now staking a claim in areas where they haven’t been before–thus we’re forced to change our approach to rodent jobs. Knowledge of this specific rat has become vital to solving this problem in a diligent manner.
You must know the reproductive rates, food preferences and how rodents communicate. Whether it’s their urine, pelage, or fecal matter, knowledge of these basics will improve any pest control technician’s ability to eliminate an infestation in a timely fashion.
Roof rats are one of my favorite pests because of their elusiveness. They force me to think outside the box and ask myself the questions: “should I pre-bait this account?”, “seal the building first?”, “what would be the best food item for baiting my traps?”. Asking these questions is when training and knowledge become vital in making the right choices for the job. The more proficient you become at answering these questions, the greater the reward.
Rodent Notes:
• Rodents pass on food preference through the mother’s milk
• In three weeks a young rodent starts venturing outside the nest
• Mice have a bite pattern of about 2 mm; rats have a pattern of 4 mm
• Rodents differ in behavior from location to location; nothing is ever set in stone
• Block walls provide excellent harborage areas, never forget to inspect them
When the problem is solved, be sure to identify and communicate to your customer the sources that contributed to the infestation, and set an appropriate warranty to avoid losing money on possible call-backs.
James Rodriguez
Territory Manager
J.T. Eaton Co., Inc.
(818) 640-4587
jteatonrep@gmail.com
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