Effective Rat and Mice Control in Kelowna, Penticton & Vernon 

Rodents in your home or business can pose serious health concerns. Rats and mice carry parasites like ticks and fleas which can introduce disease. Rodents can squeeze into even the tiniest crevices, making it hard to block every possible entry point. They are rapid breeders, and by the time you see one mouse, you are likely to have many more in your attic, wall cavities and other hidden areas of your home or commercial building.

The licensed technicians at The Bugman Pest Control can help you safely manage and prevent rat and mice problems. Contact us now for local rodent control specialists in Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon and throughout the Okanagan.

Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM)

As of July 21st, 2021 the BC Government has announced an 18 month ban on the use of Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs) due to their strength and the secondary risks they pose to other animals which may consume poisoned rodents.

With the ban on SGAR's in place, an Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM) is the most effective and economical long-term solution to get rid of a rodent problem. Our technicians at The Bugman Pest Control have been fully trained and can execute an IPM program catered specifically to your situation. For more details on Integrated Pest Management give us a call or review the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy document here.

What is an Integrated Pest Management Program?

An Integrated Pest Management program consists of six essential elements to manage rats, mice and other pests. The experts at Bugman Pest Control follow the IPM decision-making process to manage rodent problems.

1. Prevention

   The first step is prevention, where we can identify problem areas and design a long-term strategy. Prevention involves keeping rodents from getting into entry points of your building, getting rid of food and water sources, removing places where rats and mice can hide or live, and cleaning areas where rodents have been found.
   
   

2. Identification

   We identify the rodents on your property in order to apply the proper treatment methods. Many kinds of rodents exist in the Okanagan region, however, these are the three most common that cause problems: Norway rats, roof rats, and house mice. Rodents can be identified through their tail length, eyes, body size and other such indicators.
   
   

3. Monitoring

   Monitoring involves looking for signs of rats and mice on your property and checking for problem areas that could lead to rodent problems. Signs to look out for include noticing droppings or urine stains, burrows, chew marks, or noises at night.  
   
   

4. Threshold

   As soon as signs of rats or mice are identified on your property, you need to contact pest control professionals. As rats and mice reproduce rapidly, it is essential to manage an infestation quickly. If they are not removed in time, they can damage your property, transmit diseases, and contaminate your food and water.
   
   

5. Treatment

   When it comes to treatment methods, our technicians will select the best option considering the type of rat or mouse, population numbers and location. Our IPM treatment methods avoid harming people, pets and other wildlife. We use a range of options including snap traps or electronic traps, low toxic rodenticides like corn cellulose, or first-generation rodenticides.
   
   

6. Evaluate

   We evaluate the effectiveness of the IPM program and determine if any adjustments can be made, such as different trap baits, moving traps, or using more preventative measures. Once a rat or mice problem is under control, we revisit prevention steps to stop an infestation from re-occurring.

Contact The Bugman Pest Control for an effective Integrated Pest Management program to prevent and treat rat and mice problems in Kelowna and the surrounding areas.

Prevent Rodents from Entering Your Home

Prevention is the most effective way to keep your home free of rodents. At The Bugman Pest Control, we focus on structural pest control methods to address rat and mice infestations. We identify problem areas, sealing openings, regularly inspecting and repairing entry points and using a strategic IPM program for rodent control.

Rat Species in the Okanagan

Different rat species that are the most common target of rat control services in the Okanagan region are:

• Black rat/roof rat
  

  These happen to find their home in our ceilings and attics. With the tail being longer than their body and their darker fur, they become easy to identify. Their pointed droppings are another clue.
  
  

• Norway rat

  These are the largest amongst all, weighing at around a pound. The Norway rat has a blunt nose and small ears and is usually found in burrows surrounding your premises.

If your Kelowna home or property is infested with rats, then The Bugman Pest Control can help you with quick and efficient rat control problems. You can also rely on us for pre-purchase pest inspection services.

Mice Species in the Okanagan

We have curated a list of some of the most commonly identified mice that you might observe on your property:

• House mouse

  These have a pointed nose and are relatively small in size, weighing only 30 g. The house mouse tends to hide in closed spaces.
  
  

• Field mouse/vole

  These have a pointed nose and are relatively small in size, weighing only 30 g. The house mouse tends to hide in closed spaces.
  
  

• Deer mouse
  

  They are also found in woody, forested areas as they survive on plant and animal matter. An adult deer mouse can go up to 10 cm long, and their white underbelly often gives them away.

How Do You Identify a Rodent Infestation?

Pest encroachment in your personal space is always unwelcome, but rats are a large threat due to the fact that they can multiply rapidly. Here are some clues from our rodent control experts that will help you identify whether your property has a rodent infestation:

• The biggest clue to a rat infestation is their droppings. They can leave as many as 180 in a day for you to clean up.
• Rats have a tendency of gnawing on things - paper, wood, wires and even mortar. Some of our clients have even found gnaw marks on their metal objects. This is another clue.
• Next is to hear sounds. Rats often hide in vents and walls. If you hear feet tapping in your vents, you likely have rats in your home.
• Lastly, rats always follow a path they have taken. Finding a worn-out path in your lawn is another indication.

Should I Be Worried About Rodent Infestations?

Rodents can be a big problem for your property. The main dangers of having rats and mice in your home are:

• Rodents are a health hazard and are infamous for carrying a wide variety of diseases like plague, salmonellosis, leptospirosis, etc.
• Rats and mice are notorious for their ability to make their way into stored foods. If rodents are left unchecked, they eat and spread continuously, posing more health risks.
• Rodents are a fire hazard and can cause house fires. Rodents chew on electrical wiring resulting in damaged wiring sparking and overheating, which is a common cause of electrical fires.
• Rodents can cause structural damage as they work their way through walls and end up dislodging insulation and harming weather-proofing in your property.

Want to protect your property against such issues? Contact our professionals today for effective rat and mice control in Kelowna.