There is a direct correlation between rodent reproduction and costs associated with annual feed loss. When investigating these more closely, it seems clear that allowing rodent populations to get out of hand will have a significant impact on lost feed, directly affecting the business bottom line.

Quick Reproduction Cycles

When studying how quickly rodents reproduce, it can be downright scary thinking about the impact they can have on a house or complex. A few rodents can turn into thousands when left unchecked and if proper rodent control measures are not in place. Below you can see the reproduction potential for the three common commensal rodents – the house mouse, roof rat, and Norway rat. Using average daily food consumption and extrapolating the numbers shows how these critters can seriously impact feed loss at facilities.

• 1 Norway Rat or Roof Rat will consume up to 1 oz/day
• 16 Rats will consume up to 1 lb/day
• 1 House Mouse will consume 1/10 oz/day
• 160 mice will consume up to 1 lb/ day
• Feed consumption of 4,200 Norway Rats is approximately 95,812 lbs (47.91 tons)/year
• Feed Consumption of 2,400 Roof Rat is approximately 54,750 lbs (27.38 tons)/year
• Feed Consumption of 2,800 mice is approximately 6,387.5 lbs (3.19 tons)/year
• 50 bred females can produce 4,200 Norway Rats or 2,400 Roof Rats/year
• 50 bred females can produce 2,800 mice/year

Damage from rodents comes in many forms beyond feed loss including damage to buildings, insulation, and biosecurity concerns. Another concern is feed contamination. As rodents are eating your livestock or poultry feed, they are contaminating up to 10 times what they eat with their droppings, urine, and hair. A rat produces 25,000 droppings per year, a mouse 17,000. The US Department of Agriculture estimates that the equivalent of more than $2 billion in feed is destroyed by rodents each year.

Signs You Have a Rodent Problem

• Sounds like gnawing, climbing noises in walls, squeaks
• Droppings found along walls, behind objects & near food supplies
• Rat burrows are indicated by fresh digging along foundations & through floorboards into walls
• Look for dust-free runs along walls & behind storage material
• Look for wood chips around boards, bins & crates. Fresh gnawing marks will be pale
• Persistent musky odors
• Daylight sighting of mice is common. Rats are only seen in daylight if populations are high. Quietly enter your barn, or shop at night, wait in silence for around 5 minutes and listen for signs of rodent activity
• Smudge marks may be found on pipes or rafters where dirt & oil from rodent fur may leave a greasy film

Rat or Mouse?

Prevent Infestations

• This starts with how your buildings are constructed, with footings that are at least 19" into the ground and an apron that extends 8" outward to prevent burrowing. Another way to help prevent infestations is to ensure sheeting lies flush to the wall studs.
• Rodents do not like to be exposed. Maintaining your general housekeeping efforts like eliminating loosely piled building materials, old feed bags or anything a rodent can hide in or under will help do this.
• Remove water sources like leaky taps, open water troughs, sweating pipes & open drains. Keep feed in rodent-proof bins. Reduce feed spillage

Control Of Existing Populations

There are many ways to control existing populations, including snap traps, glue boards, ultrasound & sound devices, and rodenticides.

Liphatech has a great bait rotation program to help with year-round rodent control. Their line of baits includes pouches, soft baits, blocks, and pellets.

The estimated cost of feed loss speaks for itself in terms of the potential impact rodents can have on a business, which makes rodent control a serious imperative and ultimately a good business decision. Being proactive with your rodent control program is critical to the long-term success of your organization, complexes, and down to the individual houses at risk. Keeping the rodent population in check and a consistent program will save you money, time, and resources.

Hopefully, we've given you some easy-to-follow steps to prevent or control rodent populations on your farm, ranch, or home. See our full selection of Pest Control products to find the items perfect for you. If you have additional questions, leave them below, or give us a call at 888.433.5275.

Have any brooder tips of your own to share? Tell us in the comments section.

Information from this blog was used with permission from Jason Price, National Technical Support Manager with Liphatech.