Integrated Pest Management for Rodent in Buildings

The objectives of the study are to provide an integrated control program for rodents in buildings and to clarify the most important preventive methods that can be used in the control process and to make some important observations when the application of control methods such as mechanical control, biological and chemical to get the best anti-rodent program inside buildings.


Introduction
Rats and mice can be a major pest problem in buildings.
They damage food, books, documents, and clothing. Damage to a structure occurs when rats and mice gnaw on structural components, including wiring, wood, and plastics. The gnawing on wire insulation can result in electrical shorts and fires. Rodents have also been implicated in the spread of dangerous human diseases.
In short, structural risks, health risks, and a general lowering of environmental quality accompany any rodent infestation. All rodents require food, shelter, and water. The shelter provides protection from predators, inclement weather, and a favorable place to bear and rear their young. Although rodents require water, those water requirements vary greatly by species. Because rodent food and cover (i.e., vegetation) can be influenced by human activities, there has been considerable development of strategies to reduce populations and damage by manipulating vegetation [1].
Follow the tips in the sections below and you will be one step closer to keeping your home permanently free of rats and mice (SRC)

Preventive Methods
The most important steps in controlling rodents are preventive methods because prevention is better than control. The following means: a) Healthy buildings should be constructed to prevent the entry of mice and rats. b) In occupied buildings, all possible access areas should be identified by rodents.

c)
Repair / seal any cracks or holes small diameter or inch or larger in the foundation, walls. i) There will be no garbage dumps in the uninhabited buildings.
j) The external garbage areas will remain clean and devoid of organic debris on the ground.

Destruction of Burrows
Pruning both for adult trees or foliage with disposal of pruning products so as not to be a cache of mice to form a nest on these wastes.

Biological Control
Using Natural predators such as cats can help to control rodent populations by feeding on rats and mice. (SRC).

Conditions to be Available Before Rodent Control
a) The control process should be carried out in case of the presence of mice or their effects. b) You must know the type of rodent present because each type has a control method [2].

Curr Inves Agri Curr Res
Copyrights@ Abd El Aleem Saad S D. d) The control should be performed when the population density is as low as possible [3].
e) The food available should be as low as possible.
f) The control method varies depending on the location and food available. walls, under heavy appliances, or in enclosed crawlspaces [5].
g) It is best to use anticoagulants because they are environmentally safe [6].
h) Passage on the bait's stations in the early morning or before sunset.
i) The lids of all bait stations must be securely.
j) All bait stations should be numbered, and their location marked on a simple floor plan map.
k) Bait stations should be inspected during every service visit for monitoring purposes and to ensure stations are not providing harborage to non-target pests [7]. l) When dead mice must be disposed of quickly because they have dangerous external parasites. m) Once all signs of rodents are gone, remove bait stations promptly by placing in a secure plastic bag. (UCDIO) [8].