Revised 6/12/19

 

Rodents owe a majority of their survival success to their ability to adapt to different habitats. They are opportunistic food scavengers and will consume most types of food. If a certain food source runs out, they are likely to adapt to a new food source. In addition, they are mostly active just after sunset and just before sunrise – hours during which most people are asleep. These factors can make rats and mice difficult to control.

 

Rats and mice are also successful breeders. A female rat can reproduce every three weeks, and usually gives birth to about 6-10 young at one time. A female mouse reproduces every 3 to 4 weeks and usually gives birth to about 5-6 young, although sometimes up to 12. This means that both rat and mice colonies can grow large quite quickly.

 

Rodent control is important to avoid contracting and spreading a number of serious diseases, which rats are known to transmit. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) lists nearly a dozen diseases directly linked to rats. Rats and mice are both capable of transmitting disease to humans through their hair, droppings and urine. A single mouse can excrete 40 to 100 droppings per day, according to the Mallis Handbook of Pest Control by Arnold Mallis.

 

Mice reproduce rapidly and are extremely mobile. Because of their smaller body size, they can fit into spaces as small as a dime, while rats can fit through holes the size of a quarter. They will utilize power lines and foliage to gain access to attics and rooftops, and once within a house will use pipe chases and interior wall voids to move from area to area. Mice will eat just about anything they come across, especially inside of a residential environment.

 

While mouse and rat issues will generally be more plentiful in areas where construction may be older and sanitation may not be ideal, these rodents can infest any structure, whether it is a home or business. Mice and rats are problematic inside of any structure. Recognition of a rodent problem is NOT a reflection of how clean of an environment one lives or works in.

 

 

6 STEPS OF SERVICE

 

Following the 6 Steps of Service:

• Meet the homeowner or tenant and listen to any concerns.

• Inform the customer of your general inspection and treatment plans.

• Let them know what you expect to be treating for and what the scope of services moving forward will include.

• Explain what they can expect from the treatment.

 

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SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS

 

Inspection:

• Inspect the entire inside, including attic and basement, looking for harborage areas and rodent and other pest access points.

• Inspect any areas that could provide conducive conditions to rodent and other pest activity.

• Inspect all areas of the structure, including attics, crawlspaces, exterior foundations, basements, etc.

• Identify or verify the rodent type or other pest that has the customer concerned to determine the treatment method and the material to be used.

 

Approved Product List:

• Inside treatment: Catchmaster glue boards; Protecta RTU mouse stations; mouse snap traps, excluder fabric

• Commercial Baits: First Strike Soft Bait; Maki Blocks; Contrac All-Weather Blox

• Residential Baits: Maki Blocks; Final BLOX

• Outside treatment: EVO Express (pre-weighted) stations; Contrac All-Weather Blox; Final BLOX; rat snap traps, excluder fabric

 

Interior Treatment:

• Strategically place glue boards against walls as necessary.

• Strategically place baited mouse RTU boxes against walls as necessary (out of the reach of children and pets).

• Strategically place mouse snap traps against walls as necessary.

 

Outside Treatment:

• Strategically place baited rat stations (weighted or anchored) against walls as necessary.

• Strategically place rat snap traps against walls as necessary.

• Seal all small entry ways for rodents into the structure (up to 4-inch holes).

• While providing treatment, examine for termites, wasps and other pests living outside to recommend other A-1 services.

 

Other Notes:

• Common sources of food and water:

  • Food in unsealed containers such as bags of chips, rice, cereal, crackers, flour, and other non-perishables.

  • Pet food and water left out overnight or in a bag rather than in a secure container.

  • Fruits or vegetables in open bowls left outside of refrigerator.

  • Leaky pipes or faucets throughout the house.

  • Open trash and compost containers.

• Common rodent access points:

  • Holes near cabinets, closets or doors leading to outside or crawl spaces.

  • Holes around sink or appliance pipes, and other utility access points.

  • Cracked foundations in the basement or unscreened ventilation holes in the attic, especially in older structures.

  • Holes around windows or doors.

  • Missing screens in vents or crawl spaces under buildings.

• While the control and prevention of rats and mice are covered by the Rodent Control service, routine control of mice is also provided with the standard Home Shield Service.

 

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6 STEPS OF SERVICE (continued)

 

Continuing to follow the 6 Steps of Service:

• Let the customer know what was found and what was done. If the customer is not available, leave a “Door Hanger” with written notes specifying what was found, what was done, and any recommendations deemed necessary.

• Inform the customer what to expect over the next few days, weeks, months, etc. Set clear expectations for upcoming visits.

• Ask the customer: “Do you have any other Pest Control needs I can take care of today?”

• If the customer does NOT already have a Home Shield service, ask them, “May I tell you about our routine service for continuous pest protection for your family?”

• Ask the customer, “If you feel that I provided you with good service today, I’d like to invite you to give us a positive online review – we’ll make it very easy for you.”

 

 

NO Warranty – 1-Time Service

(any other additional services, such as a 2nd treatment may be chargeable as determined by the Tech/Manager)

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