Rodents

Rodents, such as rats and mice, can cause several problems if they find their way into your home or facility. Rodents may damage buildings, equipment, and food products. They can chew through walls, creating structural problems in the building, and they can also chew through electrical wires, which may lead to fires.

Rodents are also considered a serious health hazard. They often carry germs on their bodies and in their waste products. They can spread these germs around your food premises wherever they are walking, burrowing, brushing up against, and of course wherever they urinate or defecate. These animals are usually active at night or when it is dark, so if you are seeing them during the day time hours or in well-lit areas, this is a sign of a large rodent infestation.

It is easier to prevent pests from getting into your premises than it is to get rid of them once they have gotten in. An effective method of pest prevention and control includes three main features:

• Removing pest hiding spots around your premises
• Stopping pests from entering your building.
• Controlling pests that enter your food premises.

What steps can I take to prevent mice?

• Keep outside garbage areas clean.
• Store garbage in spill proof containers with tight fitting lids.
• Keep doors closed unless screened and ensure all entrances have weather stripping to prevent access.
• Check the perimeter for potential entry points and seal openings with coarse steel wool.
• Take time to check deliveries for signs of infestation; if any signs are observed do not accept the shipment.
• Store food in tightly sealed plastic or glass containers.
• Store all food 15 cm off the floor on shelves or racks for easy cleaning.
• Remove any and all available food and water sources.
• Keep your facility or home clean.

What should I do if I see evidence of mice?

If you are a tenant:

Report the problem to your landlord as soon as it is discovered so that they can bring in a licensed pest control company to address the issue. Ensure contaminated food is discarded and contaminated surfaces are cleaned and disinfected.  As a tenant, you are responsible for cooperating with your landlord’s efforts to control an infestation.

If you are a landlord, home or building owner:

Contact a licensed pest control company. Ensure contaminated food is discarded and contaminated surfaces are cleaned and disinfected.

If you would like to speak to a public health inspector about a possible mouse infestation, please contact the Duty Inspector at 705-267-1181 or 1-800-461-1818.