Did you hear about the rat who worked out 24/7? He was a real gym rat!

Rat jokes are more popular than you might think, and sometimes, we tell jokes to help diffuse our frustration about the annoyances that pests like rodents cause. Rats are no laughing matter when you encounter them in your business facility. Rats cause many kinds of damage and may result in the loss of business, unhappy workers, and regulatory scrutiny. 

The tri-state area is often named one of the “rattiest” areas in the US, so what can you do to protect your business from infestation? 

First, consider why the rats and other rodents seek refuge in your office, retail facility, or restaurant. They are usually looking for food, water, and shelter. Restaurants are particularly vulnerable to rat incursions since they have abundant enticements. However, an ordinary office building is also attractive to rats. Many employees keep food in their desks or may have breakrooms stocked with snacks. Your supply of printer paper makes a lovely source of nest-building materials, and rats feel pretty safe after typical business hours. 

Unfortunately, your employees and customers will not welcome the rodents, and you may face penalties from the health department. Also, rats spread diseases like hantavirus, leptospirosis, and salmonellosis. We can contract these illnesses even without direct contact, so it’s essential to eliminate the rodents’ access.

What are the telltale signs of rat infestations?

You may see the rodents in severe cases, but there are usually earlier indications. Seeing rodent droppings is often the first clue. Missing food, or food with evidence of tampering, is another early hint. Rats may also chew on cords and wires, so look for frayed connectors or unexpected connectivity issues. People may hear unexplained noises, especially during quiet periods, which is often a sign of rats inside walls.

What is the best way to eradicate rats in your business?

The best way to eliminate these pests is through DIY actions and help from a professional pest control specialist like Thomas Pest Services. There are some simple steps you can take to reduce the appeal of your facility to these unwelcome guests:

• Ensure that cleaning is thorough, including frequent trash disposal and removal of food debris (like crumbs in the break room.)
• Ask employees to refrain from eating or storing food at their desks. 
• Look for nests in storage areas and other quiet spaces.

However, these steps are not enough. A professional pest control service can seal off all avenues for entry. Since rats can squeeze through tiny spaces as small as ¼   inch in diameter, they are likely entering your building using multiple access points. Our protocol for rodent control includes these vital steps:

• Inspection to determine the existence and extent of the problem.
• Identification of the type of pest/s.
• Exclusion.
• Habitat removal.
• Habit changes.
• Biological and mechanical control techniques. 
• 24-hour monitoring.
• Reporting and continued inspection.

Thomas Pest Services is the Capital Region leader in rodent control. We always provide a free inspection, assessment, and estimate, and we guarantee our work.