Rodents

Rodent infestation poses a serious health hazard and negative impact to any business. It is essential to ensure food safety and the health and safety of employees and customers.

Less Pests Australia will undertake a visual assessment of your site and recommend an effective program.

Rodents cause significant loss in food (spoiling / damaged packaging / contamination / gnawing on plastics) and physical damage to wiring.

Less Pests Australia provide tamper resistant, lockable bait stations that are clearly labelled (numbered and mapped), with warning labels. Non toxic solutions are available to be used in the vicinity of food processing in accordance with HACCP requirements.

To assist in gaining management over rodent / mouse problems the following things should be done:

Eliminate Harborage and Access (Rodent Proofing).

Rodents like to hide in small tight spaces close to food. They can gain access to buildings through the smallest of gaps. Rats can gain access through a hole the size of your thumb and if you can put a pen through a hole a mouse can get in. Rodents will not generally be restricted from entry just at ground level. They are very good climbers so all access areas need to be sealed.

To Eliminate Harborage and access areas the following needs to be done:

• Remove stored items.
• Keep stored items away from walls.
• Pipes and ducting that enter into the building should be sealed off.
• Install high quality bristle strips at the base of external doorways.
• Ensure that equipment is opened an inspected regularly for possible nesting of rodents.

Remove Food and Water Sources

Mice can get enough moisture from the food they eat to survive.

The following things are recommended:

• Frequent thorough cleaning (deep clean) of floors to remove all food and greasy residues.
• Seal all food in air tight containers.
• Ensure all containers, rubbish bins, appliances such as toasters, microwaves, ovens, stoves, fridges and dishwashers are kept clean and free of food particles and food residue. In addition, the areas underneath, inside, behind and around these appliances should be kept free of food debris and residue.
• Seal all rubbish bins with tight fitting lids, remove and clean daily.
• Ensure that areas around outdoor rubbish storage areas are clean and free of waste and that bin lids are closed to prevent access by pests.
• Immediately wipe up food and liquid spills.