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Pest Control / Pesticides |
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What is a pest?
Pests, such as, rats, mice, flies, and cockroaches multiply rapidly and, because they feed on human and animal wastes, are dangerous sources of disease. The best way to tackle pest problems is to prevent conditions that would attract or provide shelter for pests. Questions or concerns regarding pests should be directed to the Code Enforcement & Public Health Division (763-493-8070).
Health Risk?
Rodents, including rats and mice have been known to carry diseases such as plague, Salmonella, Hepatitis, Typhoid Fever, and Dysentery. Today however, because of improvements in sanitation, effective drugs, and rodent control programs, the disease threat from rodents is not as significant as it once was. Even though the threat of disease is small, it must always be kept in mind.
Signs of a rodent infestation:
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Droppings
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Track
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Gnawing damage
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Burrows
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Runways
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Grease marks or rub marks
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Urine stains
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Rodent carcasses
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Rodent sounds
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Rodent odors
What can be done?
Steps to effectively control rats, mice, and other rodents
1. Prevent entry in to the premises.
- Seal off all openings the outside. Pay attention to doors, windows, garage doors, plumbing and electrical entrances, etc.
- Fill cracks and openings in foundations.
- Keep stored material such as lumber, boxes, firewood, etc., off the ground and away from walls.
2. Properly maintain the entire premises.
- Clean garbage containers with hot water and cleaning compounds.
- Do not provide any type of food shelter, trash, or rubbish piles.
- Cover all refuse containers, including outdoor dumpsters.
- Keep refuse containers inside a garage or other inaccessible area.
- Store refuse containers inside the garage.
3. Use traps and glue boards to trap mice and rats indoors (check traps regularly every couple days).
4. Do not place rodent bait of any kind in an area accessible to children or pets.
5. Do not use rodent bait indoors. Rodent bait used indoors may result in rodents dying inside walls or attics where they are irremovable, producing pungent odors.
Cockroaches, Flies, Mosquitoes, and other pests:
Discourage cockroach infestation by:
- Vacuuming or sweeping floors after every meal
- Washing dishes in hot soapy water to eliminate grease
- Keeping trash in a container with a tight fitting lid
- Keeping compost as far from the house as possible
- Storing unused portions of chips, cereal, cookies, flour, sugar, rice, etc. in a tightly sealed plastic container
- Placing Boric Acid in the nooks and crannies where roaches hide
- Fixing dripping faucets
- Sealing common roach entryways like doors, windows, electrical and plumbing entryways, and cracks in the foundation
Discourage fly breeding by eliminating odor sources:
- Place garbage and soiled materials in tightly covered metal containers
- Clean garbage containers with hot water and cleaning compounds
- Store garbage containers inside a garage or other controlled area
- Have garbage properly removed and disposed of every week
- Pick up spilled garbage and trash immediately
- Promptly cover and refrigerate foods
- Properly dispose of animal manure
- Dispose of decaying food and grains, take steps to prevent further decay
Discourage mosquito breeding:
- Eliminating stagnant water areas (low, wet tree holes, tires, cans, buckets, and other water holding containers
- Removing weeds
- Keeping grass cut short
- Trimming shrubs
Pesticides:
A pesticide is any substance or mixture of substances that is used to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate any pest. Common products containing pesticides include:
- cockroach sprays
- rodent baits
- insect repellents
- flea and tick sprays (including pet collars)
- some weed killers
- disinfectant sprays
Contacts:
The Environmental Protection Agency and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture regulate the use of pesticides in Brooklyn Park. For more information on pests and pesticide use, contact the Code Enforcement & Public Health Division at (763) 493-8070.
Minnesota Department of Health
Other pest and pesticide Information:
Environmental Protection Agency
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