Rodent Control
What this domain tests
This domain tests commensal rodent control: identification, sign interpretation, inspection, exclusion, trapping, rodenticide safety, and Florida regulatory limits. The exam expects a sequence that removes food, water, and access before poison is considered.
Core rules
- Species and signs: roof rat droppings are 12–18 mm, pointed, and often in attics or elevated runways; Norway rat droppings are 18–25 mm and blunt, with ground-level burrows; house mouse droppings are 3–6 mm. Rub marks, tracks, gnaw marks, and urine odor confirm activity.
- Exclusion: seal openings larger than 1/4 inch for mice and 1/2 inch for rats; repair screens, vents, door sweeps, and utility penetrations. Remove clutter and outdoor food sources.
- Trapping: place snap traps along walls and runways, secure them, and check daily. Glue boards are for monitoring or where traps cannot go; do not use them in wet or dusty areas.
- Rodenticides: second-generation anticoagulants and zinc phosphide are restricted-use in Florida and require a certified applicator. Use tamper-resistant, labeled bait stations; secure bait; record placements; remove carcasses. Anticoagulant antidote is vitamin K1; bromethalin and cholecalciferol have no simple antidote.
- Monitoring: follow up until activity stops, then remove bait and seal entry points.
Worked example
A homeowner hears scratching in the attic and finds dark, pointed droppings. Identification: roof rat. Correct reasoning: inspect the roof line, soffits, and utility lines; seal openings; remove attic clutter; set snap traps on runways; avoid broadcasting poison in an attic accessible to pets or wildlife. If a rodenticide is used, it must be in a tamper-resistant station and labeled for the site.
Traps that cost marks
Baiting before exclusion; using poison as first-line control; misidentifying mouse droppings as rat; placing bait stations where children or pets reach them; and failing to check stations. These errors are both exam traps and enforcement risks.