Medical marijuana dispensaries have been popping up everywhere lately. Whatever side of the fence you are on (we’re not here to judge), this trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. And as more and more shops get the green light across the Lower Mainland, licensed cannabis growers are realizing very quickly that the biggest threat to their cannabis crops isn’t public opinion—it’s rats.
When it comes to what is on the menu, these ravenous rodents will eat just about anything they can get their grubby little paws on. Rats are experts at foraging in garbage, feeding on whatever scraps they can find. But if there is none to be had, they have no problem gnawing on any kind of plant material, especially cannabis.
Rats love cannabis (but not for the reasons you might think)
Rats’ teeth never stop growing. They need to constantly chew to keep their incisors under control. So, it makes perfect sense why rats would zero in on marijuana plants. Similar to an emery board, rats use the woody stalks of the cannabis plant as a tool to help file down their incisors. Good news for their choppers—not so good for the marijuana farmer.
Prevent rats from invading your marijuana dispensary
“An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure” – Benjamin Franklin
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to assume your medical marijuana dispensary in impenetrable. Rats are notorious for squeezing through the tiniest openings. And once they get in, you’re going to have a heck of a time getting them out.
Fortunately, there are a number of steps you can take to prevent these mischievous miscreants from threatening your crop and your livelihood:
- Repair damaged screens and get door sweeps put in.
- Seal cracks and holes on the outside of your business, including areas where utilities and pipes enter the property.
- Make sure to store food in properly sealed containers and get rid of your garbage regularly.
- Keep your trash in containers with secure-fitting lids.
- Ensure that all your crawl spaces and attics are kept dry.
- Install new weather stripping around the basement foundation, doors, and windows.
- Remove sources of standing water, such as clogged drains or leaking pipes.
- Keep your landscape free of fallen debris and keep shrubbery and hedges away from your business.
Following these steps will go a long way in keeping rats out of your marijuana dispensary. But even the most well-planned rat prevention strategy is no guarantee against these clever critters.
Contact a rat removal professional
If you are worried that rodents have infiltrated your marijuana dispensary, get help from a pest control professional. They have the skills, eco-friendly products, and cutting-edge equipment to locate, identify, and remove rats, protecting you and your medical marijuana.
Solutions Pest Control is the experienced Vancouver pest control company. When it comes to cultivating your cannabis, don’t leave anything to chance. A rat infestation is a serious business that can take a big bite out of your crop and your cash. Taking the right preventive measures, along with employing the skills of a rat control specialist, will help keep your medical marijuana dispensary rodent-free.
For the first name in rat control, contact Solutions Pest Control today!