Rats Rats No RatsBy

Dan McCabeVice President

Magical/Terminix Pest Control

● Infestations in Toronto and surrounding areas are on the increase. ● Homes, hotels, hospitals, restaurants, underground transit etc…● Anywhere food is accessible.

Present Threat

● Roof Rat● Typically infests higher areas such as trees, attics etc… and prefers

warmer climates.

● Norway Rat● Typically is a ground dweller i.e. burrows, under concrete slabs, rocks etc…

and better adapted for surviving colder climates● Both are excellent climbers.

Common Rats in Ontario

Roof Rat/Norway Rat

● Social animal living in colonies.● Usually occupy lower floors of a building.● Consumes about 1-2.5 grams of food per day.● Highly dependant on water supply to survive.● Mostly nocturnal, however may be seen in the day time when the following occurs.● Overcrowding● Sickness● Disturbance of harborage areas.● Accessing daytime food sources or water.

Norway Rat BehaviorKnow The Enemy

● Breeding is highest in spring and fall.● After mating about 22 days later the mother gives birth to 8-12 pups.● After 10-15 days the pups will take short exploratory trips imitating their mother’s

behavior. ● Very cautious and smart.● Pups can reproduce in about 12 weeks.● Can have 4-7 litters per year.● Life span in the wild is about a year.

Norway Rat Biology

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices.

IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment”.

In other words we can control pests by changing their environment to one that makes survival a challenge for them.

Treatment MethodsIPM

Bed Bugs

Specimen Temp. (F)Time Reference

Adult German Cockroach 120 27 MinForbes & Ebeling, 1987

Bedbug – Adults and Nymphs 113 15 Min Gulmahamad 2002

Bedbug - Eggs 113 60 MinGulmahamad 2002

Bed Bugs All stages 122 < 1 MinNPMA

How Heat Effects Bed Bugs

● C02 (carbon dioxide)● Thin layers applied as dry ice snow ● -110F● 3 particle sizes (sm,med,lrg)● Freezing of fluids in cells

CryoniteHow Does it work?

Cryonite Unit

Cryonite

Rats

● Remove water sources. I.e. leaky hose etc…● Keep garbage inaccessible. ● Seal any openings in the structure.● Remove debris from the side of the structure.● Bird Feeders.

ControlStep 1 Rodent-proofing

ControlStep 1 Rodent-proofing

ControlStep 2 Rodent Trapping

ControlStep 3 Rodent Baiting

The simple way to consider LD50’s is : The closer to zero the LD50, the more toxic the product.

0-500 mg/kg – very toxic500 - 2500 mg/kg – moderately toxic2500 - 5000 mg/kg – slightly toxic5000> - considered - non toxic

Understanding LD-50’s

Nicotine – 50 mg/kgCaffeine - 192 mg/kgTable Salt – 3000 mg/kgContract Block >5000 mg/kg

Common LD50’s

● Change the environment.● Rodent-proof.● Traps.● Rodenticides.

Summary

Thank you