Don’t Dismiss Single Sighting of Rodents, Pests

FAIRFAX, VA -- A few droppings behind shelving, a chewed box in a storage room or scratching inside a wall may seem minor, but these can be early indications of a rodent problem in a commercial facility.

During this Rodent Awareness Week, Oct.18-24, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) is urging businesses to watch for signs of rodent activity and take preventive steps before an infestation develops.

Commercial facilities provide rodents with easy access to food, water and shelter, and even the smallest openings can welcome them inside. Mice can squeeze through gaps the size of a dime, while rats can fit through holes the size of a quarter.

“Rodent prevention starts with looking at your facility from the inside out,” said Dr. Jim Fredericks, senior vice president of public affairs at NPMA. “Keeping the facility clean is only part of the solution. Regular inspections and an integrated pest management approach are just as important in protecting inventory and customer confidence.”

The stakes of a single pest sighting are high. According to a survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of NPMA, 91 percent of managers at organizations with 50+ employees in either the healthcare, lodging/hospitality, or food service/processing industry strongly or somewhat agree that one pest sighting can permanently damage customer trust.

NPMA highlights six signs that facility managers and employees should watch for: 
•     Droppings: Rodent droppings may appear near stored food, inside cabinets, under sinks or along baseboards. Include these less-visible areas in routine inspections.

•     Gnaw marks: Chewed packaging and damage to building materials can indicate rodent activity. Rodents can also gnaw on wiring, creating a potential fire hazard.

•     Nests: Shredded paper, fabric, insulation or packing materials gathered in dark, secluded spaces may indicate a rodent nesting area.

•     Tracks or rub marks: Rats can leave dark grease or dirt marks along walls and floorboards as they travel between shelter and food sources.

•     Unusual noises: Scratching or scurrying sounds inside walls, ceilings or overhead storage areas may signal rodent activity.

•     Rodent sightings: Seeing a mouse or rat inside the facility warrants prompt attention. A single sighting should not be dismissed as an isolated incident.

Facility managers can also help prevent rodent infestations by working with a qualified pest control professional to develop an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan that combines proper sanitation, sealed entry points, employee training and routine inspections.

Year-round maintenance can help businesses identify potential problems early and address them before they escalate.

For more prevention tips, visit PestWorld.org, and use NPMA’s ZIP code locator to find a pest control professional near your commercial facility.

The NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 4,000 members, was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry's commitment to the protection of public health, food and property from the diseases and dangers of pests.

For more information, visit PestWorld.org.