Outdoor sanitation issues attract pests to Toms River commercial facility - Commercial pest control in Tom's River

Challenge

One of our commercial accounts, a restaurant in Toms River, was having trouble with mice near its dumpster area. Although there was no evidence of a mice infestation inside the restaurant or kitchen, it was important to resolve this matter immediately. Mice, like many insects and wildlife, are overwintering pests; that is, they use buildings to seek warmth, food, and shelter and avoid the harsh winter elements. It is a challenge to find and close all of the potential entry points into a building since mice,because they lack collarbones, can squeeze through holes that is the size of their skull, which is about the diameter of a dime. As such, it was important to take the battle outside to the dumpster and reduce the mice population before they had a chance to cause real damage by entering the building.

Dumpsters around Jersey Shore businesses are notorious for attracting all sorts of pests, not just ants, roaches, and other insects. All sorts of wildlife like mice, rats, gulls, pigeons and other animal pests gravitate toward dumpsters for their one-stop shopping where they can find food, water, and shelter in a convenient location. Sanitation is the single most important factor for rodent control and it is important to keep dumpster areas clean. Businesses, especially restaurants with food waste, should use dumpsters with tight-fitting lids, with lids and doors always kept closed to prevent trash from overflowing onto the ground, wind from blowing trash out, and rodents from jumping inside. Don’t underestimate the abilities of rodents to gain access. A rat’s hind legs are long and powerful; They can jump three feet vertically and four feet horizontally. Mice can literally run up walls. Their tiny claws are able to latch onto any uneven or rough surface, including walls that have a porous finish. Concrete walls have tiny air bubbles in them creating a rough outer surface that they can grip. This is why dumpsters should be kept away from walls and fences. Dumpsters should also be placed on pavement and not directly on soil. Many types of wildlife are capable of burrowing underneath. I always tell my clients to make sure trash doesn’t overflow and periodically check for rust along the bottom edges, which result in holes and access for rodents. If you have a dumpster with rust and holes, insist that your waste disposal company provide you with a sound one free of openings. Rodents can also enter dumpsters through drain holes. They need to be plugged up. The dumpsters and surrounding areas should also be periodically sprayed down with a hose to wash away food waste without leaving puddles since water is also a wildlife attractant.

Solution

I installed an exterior rodent baiting system near the dumpster where mice were seen by the kitchen employees and where there were droppings and other evidence of mice activity.  My efforts were successful, resulting in several dead mice over the course of the winter season. Every dead mouse is one less mouse that can breed or potentially try to access the restaurant. I will continue to monitor any activity during my regular service visits. I’m confident that with improved sanitation procedures in the dumpster area and the outdoor baiting stations that are now in place, the mice population will drop dramatically and the infestation will soon be resolved.