Trap Check – Rodents

Review paperwork, both in your phone and on your service route log at the beginning of your day and before you travel to the service location. Confirm the service to be performed and pay attention to COW notifications, client’s concerns, or any other special remarks.

1. Park with the flow of traffic on the street. Do not block driveways when possible.
2. Time into this account via mobile or on the paperwork.
3. Review the Order Instructions and Location Instructions. Review your route log for hand-written notes.
4. Review the history of the account, looking at the last couple of trap checks if performed by another technician. This will give you a better understanding of the trapping progress.
5. Review the trap map in the Documents on PestPac. Look for trap location, number, and any special tools needed (i.e. ladder, screwdriver, etc.)
6. Confirm the street address to make sure you are serving the correct building(s).
7. Collect your toolbox, flashlight, body bag, and boot covers before heading to the door.
8. If someone is home:
   1. Greet them, introduce yourself, and identify that you are with Good Earth Pest Company.
   2. Ask if they have had any new activity or concerns and listen to how they answer.
   3. Address their concerns and explain what you are doing. Remember, we are a service company. Always make sure that the client’s needs and expectations are being met.
9. If nobody is home: leave a door tag with your name, date, time, and that you checked the traps.
10. If the client is hearing or seeing activity in a new area you may need to move or add traps. Make sure to create an updated trap map (see GE.145).
11. Go to the areas where the traps are located:
    1. If there are any successful traps empty them and add fresh bait if needed, reset trap. Place the bodies in the bag and conceal it in your toolbox if necessary.
    2. If bait is missing from traps, then place fresh peanut butter on them. This is where understanding the history is important. If there are rat traps missing bait and we caught a mouse in the past the rat traps need to be pulled and replaced with mouse traps. In some cases, it could also be slugs or ants that took the bait and not necessarily a rodent.
    3. If any of the bait is moldy clean it off and put fresh bait back on. Consider using a more mold resistant bait in wet areas.
12. If there is no activity and we have gone 2 weeks without catching anything, then the trapping program can be ended (unless they are on a 4-week limited trapping program).
13. Pull any traps in the living space and any specialty traps. Leave the traps in subarea or attic set with fresh bait.
14. Always make a new trap map anytime you move, add, or remove any traps (see GE.145).
15. Make notes in PestPac regarding the level of activity and whether or not a return trip is needed. Typically, we return weekly.
16. Any questions feel free to call a Lead Technician or your manager. If there has been a technician onsite multiple times, they can also be contacted as a resource.
17. At the end of your day, make sure to dispose of all rodent carcasses so as to not create an odor issue in your vehicle.