Rodent Awareness Week, October 23-29
As the seasons change, homeowners aren’t the only ones looking to keep warm indoors. Unwanted houseguests – rodents – also seek shelter from the elements. To promote awareness of rodents and their hazards, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) has declared October 23-29 as Rodent Awareness Week. Rose Pest Solutions joins NPMA in their efforts by educating homeowners on the threat of rodents and how they can lessen their chances of an infestation.
“Rodents have, at one time or another, been a problem for nearly one-third of American homeowners, says Russ Ives, president, Rose Pest Solutions. “Rodents don’t need much space to get inside our homes. Mice and rats are most likely to move indoors in the Midwest this time of year, so it’s important for homeowners to take steps now to keep them out before they become an issue.”
Rodents can damage property by chewing through dry wall, insulation, wood, electrical and automotive wiring which can increase the risk of fire. They can also spread a variety of diseases including salmonella, murine typhus, infectious jaundice, rat-bite fever and the potentially fatal Hantavirus.
Rose Pest Solutions and the NPMA offer the following tips to prevent rodents from coming indoors:
* Ensure exterior doors are tight fitting, so that a pencil cannot be slid underneath while closed, otherwise install vinyl door sweeps
* Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the home, including areas where utilities and pipes enter the home, using a flexible sealant, or other appropriate material depending on the opening size.
* Move bird feeders away from the house, or install a catch pan to reduce the amount of seed that falls to the ground. Seed should be stored in a secure can or durable plastic tub before use.
* Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows
* Inspect items such as boxes coming out of storage, and other packages for evidence of rodents before bringing indoors
* On a sunny afternoon check the inside of the basement, or attic, with the lights off to see if you can see lighting coming in anywhere that it shouldn’t, this can help identify small entry points.
* Prune back thick bushes or overgrown groundcover that is touching (or climbing up!) the structure
* Regularly check under the hood of the car for signs of rodent infestation
For more information on pest solutions, please visit, www.rosepestsolutions.com, or view Rose Pest Solutions’ Fall Pest Prevention videos on the Rose Pest Solutions YouTube Channel:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1nv_KykHTo&list=PL8C33CA2FDB39DC2E&index=8 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp_EGXZofRc
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