Rodent Control in Upper Marlboro, MD

What does Prince George's County ask residents to do?

The county's rat problem checklist asks neighbors to work together, because rodents move between yards. If a problem persists after all five steps on the checklist, the county's Health Department Division of Environmental Health is the next contact. Start with the checklist, then call the county if the activity continues.

The county's guidance is written for a neighborhood, not one house. A rodent that lives under one yard often feeds in the next, so a clean yard alone may not end the activity. A neighbor who is willing to clear and seal their own edge makes the work on the next lot easier.

The county directs residents who have worked through the checklist and still have a problem to the Environmental Engineering Program, which is run by the Division of Environmental Health and has a Largo address. The technician can point to the same contact when the situation calls for it.

The county's role beyond that is not covered here. Ask the county directly what it will do for a specific property, rather than assuming it will act on a particular timeline.

• Work through the county's five-step checklist first
• Coordinate with neighbors on shared fences and sheds
• Call the county Health Department if activity persists after the five steps

Why is sealing as important as trapping?

A trap removes the animals that use a runway, but a gap in the foundation or a utility opening lets the next animal in. Trapping without sealing usually catches a few animals and leaves the route open, so the two steps are planned together.

Rodents can fit through openings that look too small to matter. The technician checks gaps around pipes, cables and vents, the space under doors, and the joins where the siding meets the foundation.

Sealing is done with materials suited to the opening and the spot. A small gap around a pipe is different from a damaged vent screen or a gap under a garage door, and each gets the fix that fits it.

Once the route is sealed and the traps or stations are in place, the return visit shows whether the activity has stopped. If it has not, the plan asks where the next route is, rather than adding more traps in the same spot.

What should a homeowner avoid while a rodent problem is handled?

Do not handle droppings or nests with bare hands, do not leave food or pet food out, and do not seal a hole before the technician has checked for animals inside. Those three habits can spread contamination, keep the animals in the house or trap them in a wall.

Droppings and nests should be handled with gloves and a mask, and the area should be ventilated before cleaning. Wet the material with a disinfectant before picking it up, so dust does not rise, and bag it for disposal.

Sealing a hole before the animals are out traps them inside a wall or ceiling. The technician checks first, so the openings are closed in the right order.

Food is the other common mistake. Pet food left out overnight, or open bags of grain in the garage, give animals a reliable reason to stay, so storing food in sealed containers is part of the plan from the first visit.

• Wear gloves and a mask when handling droppings or nests
• Wet droppings before cleaning, then bag them for disposal
• Do not seal an opening until the technician has checked for animals
• Store food and pet food in sealed containers