Mice! Mice! Help NIH Eliminate the Unwanted Mice!
Pest issues on campus are always a problem this time of year when rodents are looking for warm places to reside during the colder months. The Division of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS) and the Office of Research Facilities (ORF) have been working closely with the Division of Veterinary Resources (DVR) staff to address the feral mice entering buildings at NIH. Over the past few months staff have been collectively addressing recommendations made by Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program and ORF personnel.
While staff continue to follow-up on action items such as trapping and chemical treatment, the IPM team has summarized general points below that are believed to continue to reduce the feral rodent population. These recommendations apply to all work locations across the NIH and would also support efforts to reduce/eliminate feral rodents for other animal facilities and workspaces. Your help is needed in reporting these issues appropriately. Please review the list of tips that follow to prevent mice from moving into your offices and buildings.
General Integrated Pest Management:
Implement and Enforce Strict Cleaning Protocols
- Outdoor:
- Promptly remove any debris such as trash, leaves, bedding and animal diet
- Waste container and dumpsters must be maintained, and doors closed. No penetrations to eliminate pest access.
- Eliminate excess storage and staging of supplies and equipment.
- Indoor: (All indoor spaces including offices, breakrooms, storage rooms, utility closets,
laboratory and animal facility space.) - Do not store food in work areas and designate specific areas for eating to minimize the risk of attracting pests. Keep personal food item in sealed containers.
- Strictly enforce cleanliness protocols to ensure that food is properly stored, spills are promptly cleaned, and laboratory areas are kept free of debris. There should be little to no storage on the floors.
- Store animal diet and research supplies in sealed containers that are rodent proof. Preferably made of glass or metal.
- Regularly dispose of trash after lunch and ensure that waste bins are tightly sealed.
- Perform regular cleaning including concealed and difficult to reach areas.
Seal Entry Points (ORF)
- Seal any gaps, cracks, or holes in the building's structure using materials such as stainless wool (Excluder), wire mesh, galvanized steel or other more resilient exclusion techniques.
- Prioritize entry areas/points.
- Repair door sweeps at least in the entry areas, install them on the opposite side of the door hinges.
- Emphasis to areas around utility penetrations, doors, windows and vents.
Regular Inspections (ORS/ORF) and Maintenance (ORF)
- Conduct regular inspections of the building to identify and address any new signs of mouse activity with priority given to ground-floor entry areas.
- Continue prompt attention to repairing leaks, replacing damaged screens, landscaping, and keeping doors in a perfect working condition (Door sweeps, level, tight fit), forming a barrier against the outer world.
- Eliminate excess storage. Surplus or infrequently used equipment should be removed from the area to eliminate pest harborage in an around the facility.
Educate Staff and Researchers (ORS)
- Provide training to staff and researchers on recognizing signs of mouse infestation, proper sanitation practices, and protocols for reporting pest sightings.
- Educate the staff not to keep doors propped open, indoors and on the outside, for convenience.
- Encourage accountability to following procedures.
- Emphasize the importance of cooperation and compliance with integrated pest management measures to prevent the spread of infestation and protect research integrity.
- Emphasize prompt reporting and follow-up on maintenance and repair requests.
For any questions regarding the Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM) or to report a concern, please reach out to the DOHS IPM at 301-496-4294.
