While you may strive to provide safe and comfortable housing for your resident employees, you may also be providing cozy lodging for rats and mice….Yikes!!! Rodents of many species seek shelter in structures that offer protection from the elements and predators, and food. These fury intruders move in before winter sets in, and if left unchecked can quickly multiply into a disastrous and dangerous infestation. Measures should be taken to limit the health hazards to humans from pathogens rodent pests carry and the physical damage they can do to farm-provided employee housing. The New York State Integrated Pest Management Program at Cornell University is a leader in providing real world solutions for battling our underworld foes. Here are some key strategies and links to NYSIPM resources to help you win the fight.
Prevention:
- Practice good sanitation and housekeeping, eliminate food and water sources.
- Exclude pests by sealing openings, especially at ground level, and any corridors from room to room.
Interior and exterior inspection:
- Look for entry points on the exterior, any opening bigger than ¼ of an inch is too big!
- Inspect low areas under furniture and cabinets, and in drop ceilings.
- Be aware of gnaw marks and pathways that may be street signs to nesting areas.
- And yes…analyze any droppings you find, they can indicate the size of the population, and the size of the pest!!!
Trapping:
- Snap traps are a reusable solution which can be baited with your pests favorite flavors.
- Glue traps offer a one-time use, but can be effective in identifying insect problems as well.
Baiting:
IMPORTANT! Using baits containing pesticides in farm-provided employee housing can only be done if both of these conditions apply: (1) the person has a written lease to occupy the housing (whether or not any rent is charged) AND (2) the pesticide is classified as general use (i.e., can be purchased by anyone, such as at a hardware store). In all other cases, anyone—including the farm owner—who applies any pesticide to farm worker housing must be a certified applicator in Commercial Subcategory 7A or work under the direct supervision of someone who is.
- Use precaution to protect child and pet safety.
- Must be applied according to the label.
- The use of baits can target more than one pest per application.
Spring soon marks the return of many seasonal workers. This is a great time to make sure they don’t find any unwanted companions sleeping in their beds or uninvited dinner guests in their kitchens. For more information reach out to Jay Canzonier, Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development, or New York State Integrated Pest Management through Mice and Rats- New York State Integrated Pest Management.
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By Jay Canzonier, Cornell University. Permission granted to repost, quote, and reprint with author attribution.
The post Oh, RATS! How to Evict Them from Farm-provided Employee Housing appeared in The Ag Workforce Journal.
