Pest Management: Rodent Control

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Identification

Rat identificationRats

  • Colour: brown or grey.
  • Size: a head and body length is 15 to 28 cm; the tail ranges in length from 10.5 to 24 cm.
  • Weight: 140 to 500g.
  • Burrow in the ground or under patio stones.
  • Will live in piles of debris or undisturbed items like clothing.
  • Eat what humans eat and most grains.
  • Chew holes through plastic, metal and wood.
  • Active at night; can carry diseases.

Mice

  • Colour: ranging from white to black.
  • Size: a nose to base of tail length is 7.5 to 10 cm; tail ranges in length from 5 to 10 cm.
  • Weight: 40 to 45g.
  • The ears and tail have little hair.
  • Prefer to eat seeds and insects, but will eat many kinds of food.
  • Colorblind and cannot see clearly beyond six inches.
  • Active at night; excellent climbers and can jump up to a foot high.

Report Rodents

phone1Call OCH 613-731-1182 (option 3) at first sight of any pest.
OCH will have our pest control technician visit your home.

During the first visit

  • The pest control technician may place bait stations for outdoor rodent activity and traps for mice.
  • The pest control technician will also look for and seal access points into your home to prevent more rodents from entering.
  • OCH staff may confirm and schedule a new appointment for the following day if there are traps placed in your home.

Preparation and Treatment

attnTo have a greater chance of success, it is essential to follow these steps.

Mouse Control

  • Treatment will take place where you see activity such as a kitchen, basement, etc.
  • Remove items like pots and dishes from under the kitchen sink.
  • Remove stored items (like full boxes) from mouse active areas in your basement or garage.
  • Always spray mouse droppings with a disinfectant product or 10 parts water and 1 part bleach before removing them.

Day Of the Treatment

checkReview Prepare for the Day of Treatment Checklist.

  • Wait for the pest control technician to arrive (maximum wait 4h) or make arrangements for us to access your home and give us a phone number where we can reach you.
  • Remove your pets from your home treatment areas during the process.
  • The pest control technician will seal any areas where mice have or may enter your home.

rodentsOther Rodents Control

  • Rats: Installation of bait stations on the exterior of the home or traps inside the home.
  • Raccoons and squirrels: Installation of oneway doors and reparation of the damaged building material if applicable.

 

Pest Prevention

It is easy when you think about it!bulbs

  • Keep garbage in sealed containers and areas clean.
  • Remove stored items and debris from your yard so rodents can’t hide in them.
  • Mow the lawn often. Keep the grass short.
  • Do not feed squirrels and pigeons. They attract rodents like rats.
  • Look for animal burrows and holes in the ground as this is a sign of activity. If found, call 613-731-1182 (option 2) so it can be controlled and then repaired later if required.
  • Keep all doors closed.
  • Make sure you have screens on your windows to keep mice out.
  • Ask for OCH assistance or, if possible, seal holes around outer pipes and dryer vents by yourself.
  • Call OCH Call Centre if you see rodents in the community.

You can also additional information on this Ottawa Public Health webpage: Rat Control