Questions about Pest Control Kitchener Preventing Rodent Damage to Overwintering Perennials

Pest Control Kitchener

Preventing Rodent Damage to Overwintering Perennials

Questions about Bugs Or US Pest Control Kitchener Preventing Rodent Damage to Overwintering Perennials Growers are advised to protect their perennials from damage caused by rodents now that winter is near. Small animals will invade overwintering structures, eat most perennials and burrow into pots if given the chance. The most likely critter to cause havoc is the meadow vole. The head and body of meadow voles measure 3 to 5" long and the tail is 1½ to 2½" long. They have brown body hairs mixed with black guard hairs; belly hairs tipped gray and small eyes and ears. Meadow voles are active day and night, year-round. They do not hibernate. They feed all winter long on tubers, bulbs, rhizomes, stems, roots, and seeds and occasionally on insects and animal remains. Meadow voles construct many tunnels and surface runways with numerous burrow entrances. These surface runways are the most easily identifiable sign of voles. By the time the runways are noticed, damage is usually done. Voles are prolific breeders. They may breed throughout the year, but most commonly in spring and summer.

Pest Control Kitchener

Our Bugs or US pest control Kitchener specialists can offer you more advice and solve all of your pest control or extermination problems in Kitchener.

To identify animals responsible for damaged plants in your overwintering greenhouses, try using signs. One way is to place some non-toxic bait such as apples out in a problem area and see what kind of damage is done to that bait. The culprit can be identified by the excrement that is left behind. Another way to identify the animal is to capture one, using a small live trap or a mouse snap trap. Good baits include peanut butter-oatmeal mixture or apple slices. Once the animal is identified, control measures can be taken. It should be noted that voles are capable of carrying diseases that affect humans, so be careful and use protective clothing when handling voles.

The first step to prevent damage caused by rodents is to deny them access to your overwintering greenhouses. Make them rodent tight. Use fine mesh screen wire such as hardware cloth around the perimeter of the greenhouse. Bury it under ground and bend it outward at a 90 angle leaving it at least 6" deep.

Next, mow and clean up the natural vegetation close around the greenhouses to eliminate protected areas for rodents. Most of our wildlife animals will not venture across a wide-open space because they are much more vulnerable to natural predators.

Trapping is not effective for controlling large vole populations, but can be used to control small populations. Place mouse snap traps containing bait perpendicular to the runways.

Our pest control Kitchener specialists can offer you more advice and solve all of your pest control or extermination problems in Kitchener using chemical repellants. They are available that can be used on plants. Some repel by giving off an offensive odor and others are taste repellants. These products reportedly work for a number of animal pests. Some of these products may not be persistent and some are easily washed off and need to be reapplied.

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If at all possible, it is best to ensure you get are provided with a written estimate from the pest control Kitchener specialist that includes the cost, the necessary steps for the treatment program, the number of treatments that may be necessary and a guarantee. If, during your discussion with the pest control Kitchener specialist you and the specialist agree on something already included in the contract, make sure it is added to the contract or an addendum of the contract is issued.

Finally, when all else fails, there are toxic baits that are effective for reducing the population. One of the most effective and common baits is zinc phosphide treated, cracked corn, or oats. It is a single-dose toxicant available in pelleted and grain bait formulations and as a concentrate. Anti-coagulant baits are also effective in controlling voles. Anticoagulants are slow acting toxicants requiring from 5-15 days to take effect. Multiple feedings are needed for most anti-coagulants to be effective. Toxic baits can be harmful to children, pets and wildlife and should be used with utmost caution. Read and carefully follow the directions and safety precautions on the label of any of these products.

Do not allow a pest control Kitchener company to bully or pressure you into signing a contract. If the pest control specialist uses those tactics, move on to the next company on the list.

Feel free to give us a call at 519 716-6701 for your any pest control or extermination needs.

Call Bugs Or Us Pest Control. We are the Pest Control Kitchener experts.