Rodents

Rats

Rats live in fields, farm lands and structures. They enter homes looking for food sources. They can chew wiring and cause fires. They also carry diseases.

Mice:

Mice breed rapidly and adapts quickly to changing conditions. Their droplets of urine can cause allergies in children. Mice can bring fleas, ticks and lice into your home

Eliminate conditions that attract rodents

During Rat Removal in Virginia Beach VA service calls and inspections, environmental health practitioners should advise residents and business owners to eliminate conditions that may attract and support rodent presence. Preventive actions include sealing up access into homes and businesses, removing debris and heavy vegetation, keeping garbage in tightly covered bins, and removing pet and bird food from their yards.

Monitor rodent populations

After natural disasters like hurricanes, communities often experience a decline in rodent populations, followed by an increase in rodent populations as commercial activity returns to normal. Environmental health programs should continue rodent monitoring and control activities after these events.

Rodent bait stations may become a more attractive food source for rodents, so stations may need to be serviced more often. It is important to monitor rodent activity during this time and develop indicators to help inform rodent control strategies. Integrated Pest Management: Conducting Urban Rodent Surveys and Rodent Control After a Disaster provide useful information on monitoring rodents.