Rodents are bad news for hospitals and medical centers. They carry germs that can make people sick, and they can chew through important medical equipment and supplies. This can cost money in repairs and put patients at risk.
We at McCloud Services put together this simple guide to help keep mice and rats out of your medical building. However, keep in mind that the best way to keep rodents out is by bringing in professional exterminators to inspect, remove, and prevent infestations.
Types of Rodents
Deer Mouse
These small mice have big eyes and ears. They’re brown on top with white bellies and feet.
Deer mice like living in rural areas but will move into buildings when it gets cold. They’re dangerous because they can spread hantavirus through their droppings. You’ll often find them in basements, attics, or storage areas.
House Mouse
The most common mouse in medical buildings. They’re gray or brown and only about 3 inches long.
House mice can squeeze through holes as small as a dime. They breed fast. One pair can have 35 babies in a year! They contaminate food and medical supplies with their droppings and urine.
Meadow Vole
Also called field mice, these rodents are stockier than house mice with shorter tails. They’re dark brown or gray.
While they usually stay outside, they sometimes enter buildings through ground-level openings. Meadow voles can damage landscaping and create runways in the grass near your building.
Norway Rat
The bigger of the two common rats. They’re brown or gray and can grow up to 10 inches long (not counting the tail).
Norway rats live in sewers and basements. They’re strong swimmers and often enter buildings through broken pipes or floor drains. These rats can chew through concrete and metal.
Roof Rat
Smaller and sleeker than Norway rats, with longer tails. They’re black or dark brown.
Roof rats are great climbers who enter buildings from above. Look for them in ceilings, attics, and upper floors. They often use power lines and tree branches like highways to reach your building.
Prevention Checklist
Every Day
- Keep doors shut, especially where deliveries come in.
- Clean up food crumbs and spilled drinks right away, especially under kitchen equipment.
- Put all food away at night, and don’t forget meal carts.
- Make sure floor drains have covers that fit tightly.
- Fix water leaks fast so rodents can’t drink.
- Watch for mouse droppings, dead rodents, or chewed items.
- Put garbage in closed containers outside before leaving.
Every Week
- Check storage rooms to make sure nothing sits on the floor.
- Look for rodent signs like droppings, holes, or greasy marks on walls.
- Check kitchens and delivery areas extra carefully.
Every Month
- Schedule professional pest control visits.
- Look through all closets, maintenance rooms, and cleaning supply areas.
- Check employee break rooms and changing areas.
- Look above ceiling tiles in kitchen areas.
- Make sure door bottoms have sweeps that touch the floor.
- Clean around outdoor trash containers.
- Check trash area walls for holes.
- Make sure pest control boxes near dumpsters aren’t broken.
- Walk around outside to find rodent holes in the ground.
Twice a Year
- Check the roof for gaps or damage where rodents could enter.
- Cut back tree branches that are close to the building.
- Make sure roof vents have screens.
- Look for cracks in the outside walls.
- Fill any holes with materials rodents can’t chew through (not foam).
Once a Year
- Review your pest control plan to make sure it still works for your building.
Why are rodents dangerous?
Rodents’ front teeth never stop growing. They must chew constantly to keep their teeth from getting too long. That’s why they destroy so much property!
Rats and mice carry germs that cause serious diseases, including food poisoning, hantavirus, and infections from rat bites.
Let the Pros Handle It
McCloud Services leads the way in keeping pests out of hospitals, restaurants, hotels, and stores. We protect many of America’s biggest food companies with custom plans that work. Our trained experts and scientists create flexible programs that fit what each business needs. When you want pest control built for businesses, McCloud Services is the choice.
Your McCloud Services expert can help block places where pests get in with our special exclusion services. Just ask your service specialist to learn more. Reach out to our team today!