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Alaskan Pests (Of Course Mosquitoes are a way of life)
Rodents - The Common Ones
Populations of rodents fluctuate. Alaska has a variety of rodents including mice, shrews, voles, squirrels and rats. When populations are up, we find them invading our homes. In the Anchorage and Mat-Su valley we do not have a rat problem. Most of the areas with serious rat problems are the coastal towns, but not limited to.
Eliminating rodents is fairly easy. The key is to identify what kind of rodent we are dealing with and remove all food and water sources. It may be that more than one variety is in the building. Squirrels are a cute, very destructive rodent. Do not feed them!
Rodents have behavioral characteristics that help us eliminate them. They like quiet dark places and are curious. They need food and water. Their teeth grow rapidly so they need to chew to wear them down. Squirrels have caused fires in homes by chewing on the wiring. Shrews are hyperactive and run everywhere. They are in constant search for food.
When rodents get into the kitchen food storage areas, the damage is considerable. All rodents leave behind a trail of urine and droppings.
Snap traps work well if you constantly run the trap line. Baits are effective, though I have found mice that apparently got fat on Decon set out by the homeowner. Glue boards work well but again, you have to run the trap line.
I use what I call super strength Decon that is only available to licensed pest control specialists. It does the job best. Once I do a building, I do not plan on going back for a long period of time. I also educate the person in charge on saving the bait boxes and using them again, if it is necessary to remove them.
