The bottom line in regard to long term rodent control is the fact that rodents must have adequate

amounts of food, water, and shelter to exist and thrive.  The removal of any one of these conditions

through the implementation of sanitary measures will drastically reduce your chances of having a

rodent infestation.

Good housekeeping practices are a must in rodent control, whether it be an office, warehouse,
or residence.  Using only poisons, on an intermittent basis, to control rodents without regard for
cleanliness and wise sanitary practices; is a study in futility.  Without sanitation, the baits that
are used to control rodents will lose much of their effectiveness.  As long as there are food
scraps or other food items around, the chances of the target rodent eating the bait is greatly
reduced.

Because rats need much more food, water and space for nests, sanitation is even more import-
ant in controlling these rodents and should be carried out not only on the inside of buildings, but
on the outside as well.  Rubbish piles, piles of old lumber, leaves, tires, and other such articles
should be cleaned up and all grass should be kept mowed at regular intervals.

Proper storage practices are also important in rodent control.  Improper storage frequently
creates ideal harborages for any number and variety of rodent.  Jumbled storage also prevents
proper inspections for rodents and can hide evidence of rodent activity.( gnawed boxes, and
shredded food containers, etc.)

Sanitation around residences is also very important and the proper disposal of trash, food items,
and limbs and grass clippings will go far in curtailing the incidence of rodent infestation.  Pet
food and water containers should be filled with just enough for the pet to eat and drink and then
removed until the next feeding.  Bird feeders should be the type with a long, slender, slippery,
base which will not allow rodents to climb up to the seed.

Rats and mice are clever and resourceful and must be met with the same amount of resource-
fulness to achieve a rodent free existence.