History
There are a wide range of species of rodents that can be encountered during the performance of pest
control, but we’ll focus on four of the main species we encounter in the Baltimore, Howard, PG, and
surrounding counties, with two of these the main intruder in homes, offices, and restaurants.
✓ The House Mouse (most common)
✓ The Norway Rat (most common)
✓ The Deer Mouse (mainly in rural areas)
✓ The Roof Rat (usually found in the South, and West u.s. have been found in the Mid Atlantic)
Signs of a Rodent Infestation
✓ Droppings on counter tops, stove, floor, pantry, closets
✓ Holes chewed through drywall, garage door weatherstrip
✓ Gnawing on food packages, and boxes
✓ Nesting material
✓ Rub markings
✓ Strong smell of urine
Signs of a Rat Infestation
✓ Burrows in the ground, under porch steps, under concrete patios, walkways
✓ Droppings
Why Control of Rodents is Required
✓ To avoid destruction of food for human consumption
✓ To protect structures from rodents gnawing on electrical wires, plumbing, building materials
✓ To avoid spreading disease
✓ To help an establishment from getting a bad reputation
✓ To prevent employees from having unnecessary fear in the workplace
Control
✓ Baiting (liquid, soft, hard baits)
✓ Tracking Powder
✓ Trapping
✓ Exclusion