As winter approaches, homeowners aren’t the only ones looking to keep warm indoors. In fact, many homeowners may start to notice they have unwanted house guests…RODENTS. They too are seeking shelter. To promote public vigilance against rodents and the hazards they pose, the National Pest Management Association has declared the week of October 21-27th to be Rodent Awareness Week.
Massey Services is joining NPMA in this important effort by educating homeowners on the threat of rodents and how they can lessen their chances of infestation.
INTERESTING FACTS:
- One of three homeowners have seen a rodent in their home in the past year
- Mice are capable of producing up to 12 babies every three weeks
- Mice can fit through a hole the size of a dime while rats can go through one the size of quarter
- Rodents make happy “laughter” sounds when they play
- Rodents teeth are always growing, so they have to constantly bite them together to wear them down (this is called bruxism) – If you find some chewed wires around your house or even in your car it is not because they need to gnaw their teeth but to obtain nesting material
HEALTH RISKS:
Rodents are known to carry at least 10 different kinds of diseases that can cause severe illnesses and sometimes even fatal. The diseases are active on their bodies and in their urine and droppings.
Types of diseases include: murine typhus, salmonella, rat-bite fever, bubonic plague, bacterial food poisoning and Hantavirus. (Deer mice, cotton rats and rice rats in southeastern state carry the Hantavirus).
TIPS FOR PREVENTION:
- Keep your lawn and weeds trimmed and pruned. Outdoor areas are where rodents nest.
- Keep all plants, especially limbs of trees, away from the roof or even from touching your home. Rodents can climb on tree limbs that are touching your roof in order to get access into your home.
- Clean up all the litter in your yard such as wood piles, debris, etc. to prevent rodents nesting on your property.
- As soon as you start trapping, ensure all access points around your home are completely sealed.
- Initially place out 5-6 traps times the number of rodents you think are hiding and check the traps to remove rodents every other day.
- Do not stack any materials by your home or in your garage.
- Walk around once a month to inspect for any new access points.
Although there are quite a few interesting facts about rodents, one fact we know is that rodent infestations can be scary and stressful. If you feel that you may have a rodent infestation in your home or want to assure you are rodent free, fill out the form below for your free no obligation inspection.