Rodents and Other Vertebrate Pest Management

Instructor: Josh Francis

An animal with a backbone or spinal column is called a vertebrate. A few vertebrates, such as rats and mice, are common pests in urban and industrial areas. Others are not pests in their normal habitats but may occasionally become pests when they conflict with humans. Public concern for the welfare of animals and the risk to people, pets, and other non-targets from poisons used to kill vertebrates have made rules governing vertebrate pest control particularly strict. Laws and regulations at the state and local levels may be much more restrictive than federal regulations. Be sure you understand all the regulations that apply in your geographic area before attempting to control vertebrate pests.

After completing this course participants will be able to:

• Describe the lifecycle, inspection process, and health concerns commonly associated with vertebrate pests
• Distinguish the different types of lethal and non-lethal options for managing vertebrate pests
• Describe the various types of traps and baits used to control vertebrate pests