Keep Rodents from Taking Refuge in Your Restaurant with These 5 Tips

Rats in a kitchen in San Juan PR - Rentokil, formerly Oliver Exterminating

Restaurants are one of the most attractive places for rodents. There is always plenty of food and water around from spills on the floor, trash outside, and leftovers that end up accessible. All of these things are a natural part of the restaurant business, but to rodents, they are an open invitation to explore, eat, and drink—and that is where the problem begins. The first step in rodent control is in your hands—you have to take care of the things you can control to prevent rodents from getting inside or disrupting your business. If you’re looking to get rid of rats and mice in your restaurant in San Juan PR, read on for advice from the rodent exterminators at Rentokil, formerly Oliver Exterminating!

Why Do Rats and Mice Infest Restaurants?

Rodents find food processing plants and especially restaurants to be both easy and desirable targets in many cases! This causes headaches for restaurant owners all around San Juan PR. But why is it so easy for rodents to infest restaurants? The answer extends beyond the obvious fact that they’re stocked to the brim with food. Given that restaurants are often in crowded places that have to be open and welcoming to the public, they offer up both blatant and inconspicuous entry points to rats and mice living nearby. What’s more, all of the food waste that’s taken out to the garbage bins provides an incentive for rodents to continue to explore the area. The attractions continue to add up!

5 Tips to Keep Rodents Out of Your Restaurant

In order to keep rodents out of your restaurant, you have to take regular preventative measures in both the interests of general sanitation and focused rodent prevention. Here are our top 5 tips to keep out rats and mice in your restaurant:

  1. Clean up spills promptly: The best thing to do is to make sure every food spill, every water spill, and every grease spill has been completely cleaned up before closing. This is very important because rodents are active at night.
  2. Seal and store food: It’s imperative to ensure that all food is stored in airtight containers and stowed away properly before closing.
  3. Seal garbage: Check your outdoor garbage bins every night to ensure that they are tightly sealed. It is always preferable to use metal lids.
  4. Check for entry points: Doors and windows that leave small gaps could easily let rodents inside. Cracks in your foundation or plumbing fixtures could also attract rodents. Make sure you’re monitoring for entry points and sealing any gaps with silicone-based caulk or steel wool.
  5. Work with an exterminator: Setting up regular appointments with a rodent exterminator will ensure that rodents leave your business alone.

Pro Rodent Control in San Juan PR

To keep rodents out of your restaurant most effectively, call your local pest control company. The rodent exterminators at San Juan PR can remove all active rodents quickly and discreetly to keep your business space and reputation in good shape. Contact us today for a free quote!

Why Are Rodents Considered Pests?

Mouse in Puerto Rico home - Rentokil formerly Oliver Exterminating

The rodent family includes more than just your typical rats and mice—it also includes squirrels, chipmunks, beavers, and more. Some people even own rats and mice as pets. So what makes rats and mice some of the most feared types of pests in the first place? Rodents are considered pests due to the dangers they pose for homes and businesses. With Rodent Awareness Week around the corner here in Puerto Rico, the experts at Rentokil formerly Oliver Exterminating are determined to help our communities understand the potential threats of a rodent infestation this fall and winter. Keep reading to learn more!

Do You Need Pest Control For Rodents?

While many people have pets that are rats and mice, rodent infestations can be dangerous for several reasons. For one, wild rodents can carry and spread many germs and diseases that can lead to contamination and illness. When rodents infest your home, their population can quickly increase and they can create a real mess inside your home or business with their droppings and nesting.

In addition to the mess, rodents can chew on electric wires, which can become a fire hazard. Needless to say, a rodent problem can become a hazard in your home, making it important to enlist the help of a pest control expert.

Dangers of Rats and Mice

One of the main threats of a rodent problem is their ability to chew their way through your home, making quite a mess in their path. Their droppings, in particular, can be very hazardous. In addition to making a mess inside your home, rodents are infamous for spreading disease. Some of the most notable diseases they are capable of spreading include:

  • Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
  • Leptospirosis or Weil’s Disease
  • Rat-bite fever
  • Salmonellosis
  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM)
  • Plague

Rodent Season in Puerto Rico

Rodents are one of the most common pest problems for homes and businesses in Puerto Rico. If you are worried about the potential dangers of these pests in your property, contact the experts at Rentokil today! Our rodent exterminators will work to keep you safe from rats and mice all year long.

4 Pests You Might See in Puerto Rico

Pest Control is crucial in an area like Puerto Rico that is home to a number of reptiles, rodents, and insects that can plague home and business owners. Puerto Rico is home to a number of persistent pests that require a good deal of effort to prevent and eradicate. Below are a number of pests you might see in Puerto Rico, along with information on the damage they can cause.

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How Do I Know If I Have Rats or Mice?

Mouse and rat identification in San Juan Puerto Rico - Rentokil Formerly Oliver Exterminating

A rodent problem is any homeowner’s worst nightmare. Visually, it can be somewhat simple to know if there are mice or rats in your property. However, there are other traits and behaviors that make these two rodents quite different from one another. Here at Rentokil formerly Oliver Exterminating, we know a rodent problem can be a pain to deal with. Because both rats and mice can be dangerous, we want to provide all the facts you need to know about these rodents. Keep reading to learn how to differentiate rats and mice by their body size, droppings, diet, and more.

All About Mice

Mice are typically significantly smaller than rats and exhibit some different behaviors. Here’s how to tell them apart:

  1. The house mouse is usually just 2–4 inches long.
  2. Mice have larger ears and a longer tail compared to its body length.
  3. Mice are often gray or brown in color, with a lighter shade or white color on their bellies.
  4. Mice droppings have pointed ends and are just 1–2 mm long.
  5. Most mice feed on fruits, seeds, grains, and occasionally meat.
  6. They produce 5–10 litters a year with up to 14 mice in each litter.

Rat Identification

From the Norway rat to the roof rat, these rodents are known for being larger than their mouse counterparts.

  1. Rats have thicker bodies and tails that are shorter than the length of their body.
  2. They possess small hairy ears and larger feet.
  3. Rat droppings are banana-shaped and much bigger than mice droppings at 10–20 mm long.
  4. Rats produce 3–6 litters a year with up to 10 pups in each litter.
  5. Rats are adventurous, omnivorous eaters who will feed on a variety of grains and meats.
  6. They forage overnight and nest in garages, trees, and basements.

Are Rats and Mice Dangerous?

Rats and mice alike can exhibit similar behaviors inside your property if they have infested your home. They are also both dangerous in several ways. Rodents are infamous for their ability to carry and spread a number of potentially dangerous diseases. They also can trigger allergies in people. A rodent problem can be a mess to clean up due to the amount of droppings and urine left behind. Lastly, they can cause significant damage to your home. Both mice and rats will chew through insulation, cardboard, wood, and electrical wiring. Needless to say, this can be rather dangerous.

Need Help Identifying Rodents?

If you are unsure what type of rat or mouse has infested your home, contact the rodent exterminators at Rentokil. Our team knows how distressing a rat or mouse problem can be, which is why we are committed to keeping you safe from them year-round here in Puerto Rico. Call us today to learn more!

Why Are Rodents More Aggressive During COVID-19?

Rodents are entering Puerto Rico homes during the pandemic - Rentokil formerly Oliver ExterminatingRodents are one of the most common pest problems in Puerto Rico this time of year. However, if you’ve been seeing more than ever, you’re not alone! Since the start of the pandemic, rat and mouse infestations have become more of a problem for residents. This is due to the fact that rodents were suddenly depleted of their food source when restaurants and bars were put under new limitations. In addition to becoming more abundant, they have become more aggressive as they compete for food sources. A rodent problem is always a property owner’s worst nightmare—not only do they spread germs and bacteria, they also can be destructive. For this reason, Rentokil formerly Oliver Exterminating is focusing on prevention tips this Rodent Awareness Week. Keep reading to learn more.

Rodents During the Pandemic in Puerto Rico

We all know rats and mice can transmit disease, but what about COVID-19? While rats and mice have been linked to certain coronaviruses, there is no current evidence or research to show that rodents are transmitting the current strain (SARS-CoV-2) to humans. Here are the facts:

  1. Due to the restaurant shutdowns and lockdowns, there have been a number of reported cases of rats and mice becoming more bold and rampant in the absence of food sources.
  2. The surge in rodent activity leads to a bigger risk of infestations and rodent-spread issues.
  3. While they won’t transmit COVID-19 to you or your family, rodents still can spread other diseases including hantavirus, salmonellosis, and more.
  4. Once inside your home, rodents can cause damage with their chewing and nesting habits.

Tips to Prevent Rats & Mice

To keep rodents and the dangers they bring out of your home, it’s important to implement rodent exclusion practices. These include:

  • Storing food properly. Securely store food in tight-fitting containers with lids.
  • Sealing holes around pipes. Use caulk or wire wool to cover up gaps and openings near pipes and other openings.
  • Covering vents. Install mesh screens on your vents. Also consider installing screens on doors and windows.
  • Using tight lids on trash cans. Rodents love to rummage in the garbage! If possible, keep your trash cans sealed and stored.
  • Protecting eaves. Fix any damaged roofing and use wire mesh to seal gaps in your eaves.

How to Keep Rodents Out During COVID-19

With everything else going on this year, the last thing you have time for is a rodent problem. At Rentokil, we know how distressing rodent problems are, which is why we are committed to keeping you and your family safe all year long. Contact our rodent exterminators today to find out more!