Rodent Control
From the banks of the Mississippi River to the Historic streets of the French Quarter, and in your home or business, Deluxe has the know-how to eliminate your rodent problems safely and effectively, at reasonable rates.
For over 49 years Deluxe has eliminated rat and mice populations in all kinds of environments. Some of our treatment areas include River Front Shopping Malls, French Quarter Restaurants, Hotels, and Homes, as well as suburban homes in the entire greater New Orleans area and the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain.
Our technicians are industry trained in Rodent Control, using the safest methods available today. All products used are placed in areas inaccessible to children and pets.
Mice
The House Mouse is a formidable opponent when it comes to control. This tiny rodent has the potential of 100 offspring in a six-week period. Their shyness of traps and bait is mystifying at times. Our trained staff has encountered many unusual situations, but we are always the victor in the fight for the space the mice have invaded.
Rats
In the Greater New Orleans Area we deal with two types of Rats — the Roof Rat (or Black Rat), and the Norway Rat. The Roof Rat is the more agile of the two, with a climbing prowess which is almost that of legend. Their ability to walk straight up the wall of a brick building or climb a smooth gutter downspout is circus-like. The Roof Rat was responsible for The Bubonic Plague [Black Death]* which started in Asia and spread to Europe in the 14th Century, resulting in the deaths of one-third of the European population. (*The Plague was actually transmitted by humans being bitten by a Flea which had previously bitten an infected Rat.)
The Norway Rat is a heavier Rodent, and prefers burrowing to climbing. Although still an excellent climber, these are the rodents you see burrowing in your garden. Inevitably, they will make it into your attic by following the plumbing up the wall.
The control of these pests requires many different approaches. The technicians at Deluxe are experts in finding the source and the entry points of these pests. We use many methods available to the industry, but not to the consumer.
SAFETY is always our main objective.
House Mouse
Mus musculus
Description: They are light brown to dark gray and have lighter fur on the belly. The head and body length is 2 1/2 inches to 3 1/2 inches. The tail is nearly hairless and as long as the body. The ears are moderately large and prominent.
Life Cycle: Juvenile » adult. They are prolific breeders and reach sexual maturity in 35 days. Breeding females can produce six to ten litters (of five to six babies each) per year. They are weaned at 21 days and mating with six to ten weeks.
Where to Look: This species will live in dark, sheltered areas with abundant nesting material and little chance of disturbance. They seldom will travel more than 30 feet from the nest but can travel farther if forced out of the nest. Look for mouse droppings in food storage areas and cupboards, as well as behind refrigerators, appliance and drawers. They need little water and are hoarders. Their range is typically 5 to 20 feet from the nest (up to 75 feet).
Deer Mouse
Peromyscus maniculatus
Description: The head and body length is 2 4/5 to 4 inches, and the tail is 2 to 5 inches. Their weight is 2/3 to 11/4 ounces. These mice are the most widely distributed and most variable members of the genus. The color ranges from pale grayish-buff to deep reddish-brown. The tail is always sharply bicolored – white below, dark above. They often are difficult to distinguish from similar species but are easy to identify from the house mouse.
Life Cycle: Juvenile » adult. Females can have up to four litters per year with an average of three to six young per littler. The gestation period is from 22 to 25 days.
Where to Look: The deer mouse makes it home outdoors in sheltered areas such as hollow tree logs or piles of debris. They do not burrow but build their nests from grasses in burrows in the ground and in trees, stumps and buildings. On the rare occasions deer mice come indoors, they prefer undisturbed areas such as attics, basements and other hidden areas. They often are found in close proximity to agricultural barns. They feed on seeds, nuts, acorns, insects and stored food. The indoor range of deer mice typically is 5 to 20 feet form the nest. Their outdoor range is from 1/2 to 3 acres of more.
Norway Rat
Rattus norvegicus
Description: They usually are grayish but may vary from pure gray to a blackish or reddish-brown. The length of the tail in a Norway rat is shorter than the length of the head and body together. The tail is dark on top and light underneath. His size often is exaggerated. The body length is up to 10 inches, and these rats average 16 inches from nose to tail.
Life Cycle: Juvenile » adult. They have moderately high reproductive rates with eight to nine pups per litter, which are weaned in about a month. Females may produce up to 20 pups. Wild rats typically live five to 12 months but can live up to three years.
Where to Look: Norway rats are burrowers and thrive in environments where there is clutter of garbage. They burrow along foundations and under debris. They are good swimmers and may enter buildings through the plumbing. These rodents commonly will follow sewers, ditches, waterways and creeks when dispersing to new areas. The home range of these rats may be as much as 50 yards (150 feet); displaced rats may travel 1 to 2 miles, however.
Roof Rat
Black Rat Rattus ratuus
Description: The color ranges from black to gray or tan with a lighter belly. They have tails that are dark and are longer than the head and body together. The body length is 6 to 8 inches. The tail length is 7 to 10 inches from nose to tail. They have long guard hairs projecting from the body and have large ears.
Life Cycle: Juvenile » adult. This species has a moderate reproductive capacity depending on adequate food and harborage. Females produce three to four litters of four to eight pups per year. Adults live five to eight months.
Where to Look: Members of this arboreal species are nocturnal and secretive. They can remain undetected for long period of time. They prefer areas off the ground and nest in vegetation, shrubs and vines. These rats are good climbers that prosper in attics, roof spaces and ornamental shrubbery. They generally enter building from overhanging trees or power lines.