Page 52 - CleanIndiaJournal June Digital Issue

Pest ManageMent

Strategising Rodent-free Premises

Rodents are highly reproductive animals. A population of 1,250 rats may be
produced by a single pair of rats in a year. They are known for their abilities to
swim, climb and dig burrows, can survive without food for three days and resist
thirst for 4-6 hours.

Rachit Agarwal, Director, Truly Pest Solution Pvt Ltd makes the case for a
comprehensive approach to making and keeping a facility rodent-free.

n the Indian subcontinent, three 3. Green zone: The area outside the
major species encountered are premises i.e., the natural habitat Common signs of rodent
Norway rats (Rattus Norvegicus), of the rodent. infestation:
house mouse (Mus Musculus) and Combining all the above zones, • Droppings
Iroof rat (Rattus Rattus). All these a defence system may be created • Sounds
species have an approximate life of to avoid the entry of rodents in the
one year. Red Zone. • Urine
Rodents are responsible for the • Odours
contamination and destruction Steps of IPM • Nests
of foods and fabrics, damaging • Gnawing
structures, causing fires by gnawing In order to have good results,
on wires and carrying various it is also important to identify the type
disease-causing pathogens via their of rodent and their behaviour, and Sealing of structural defects to
bodies, parasites and excrements. conduct all the following steps of IPM: avoid further entry.
They can be vectors of various 1. Inspection: The root-cause b. Sanitation: Sanitation efforts
diseases that are transmitted through analysis of the rat infestation require the customer’s
airborne particles, bites of fleas that should be carried out for the cooperation. Thorough cleaning
infest rodents, rat bites and rodent complete premises. up of useless materials and things,
urine. 2. Identification: Of the species, storage areas and garbage etc is
Integrated Rodent Management is infestation levels, breeding and necessary to not attract rodents.
defined from the pillar of Integrated resting areas. Sanitation issues c. Elimination: Placing of traps
Pest Management (IPM). Through should be pointed out. and cages to finally eliminate the
IPM, a facility is divided into three 3. Determination: A complete action population.
zones: plan should be created to reduce 5. Communication: Discussion
1. Red zone: Critical areas the infestation levels. This may on sanitary issues, monitoring
of manufacturing spaces or include the use of chemicals and the environment, exclusion and
residential living i.e. inside the trapping methods, depending on control methods should be carried
manufacturing facility, storage the zones. out. This is also a way to educate
warehouse, kitchens etc. 4. Prevention: Further been divided and train the client, helping them
2. Yellow zone: The most important into three steps: to successfully implement rodent
part of the program, comprising a. Exclusion: Elimination of management systems. For a long-
the boundary of the structural harborage such as garbage area, term solution, all the steps must
premises. storage area and dustbin area. be followed.

JUNE 2023•Clean India Journal
52 www.cleanindiajournal.com