November 16-22 is Rodent Awareness Week
Rose Pest Solutions encourages public awareness of rodents during the winter season
As temperatures continue to cool across the country, rodents will begin to seek shelter from the elements, most often in homes and other structures. To promote public vigilance against rodents, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) recognizes November 16-22 as Rodent Awareness Week. Rose is proud to take part in this observance by educating homeowners about the threat of rodents and the possible signs of an infestation this winter.
The Risk
“Rodents may be small, but they pose a number of threats to human health and property,” said Jeff Beallis, Rose Pest Solutions Lombard Branch Manager. “House mice, deer mice, voles, shrews, and norway rats are most likely to cause problems in our Midwest regions this time of year, so it’s important for homeowners to be on the lookout for signs of these destructive pests in and around their property.”
Aside from being a nuisance, rodents are vectors of a vast array of diseases, such as Salmonella, murine typhus, infectious jaundice, rat-bite fever and the potentially fatal Hantavirus. They can also chew through drywall, insulation, wood and electrical wiring, increasing the potential risk for fires.
5 signs of mice in the house:
- Droppings: A trail of rodent droppings is typically found in kitchen cabinets and pantries, along walls, on top of wall studs or beams, and in boxes, bags and old furniture.
- Noises: Rodents often make scurrying sounds, especially at night, as they move about and nest.
- Gnaw marks: New gnaw marks tend to be rough to the touch and are light colored.
- Burrows: Inside, rodents often nest in various materials such as insulation, and they are drawn to areas that are dark and secluded.
- Damaged food packages: House mice prefer to feed on cereals and seeds, while Norway rats prefer meat, fish and dry dog food.
“We encourage homeowners to complete a thorough inspection of their property before the winter weather strikes. They should look for cracks or holes in the foundation, loose mortar around the basement foundation and damaged screens,” added Beallis. “No crack or hole should be overlooked as mice only need an opening the size of a dime to find a way inside.”
So, what happens if you DO have signs of mice in the house?
How to get rid of rats and mice
Unfortunately, as some of you may already have realized, there’s not a magic poison you can buy from the hardware store that you just set on the floor and consider the problem fixed. You could spend a fortune on some of the gimmicks that are out there claiming to be the ultimate rodent problem solver. Those sonic plugin devices will always make me shake my head in disbelief.
Bottom line to curing a rodent problem is that it’s going to require some work on your part if you want a permanent solution. Most of the suggestions, recommended by the National Pest Management Association, involve changing the structural integrity of your home. If all of this is too overwhelming for you, the simpler solution is to contact a pest professional (like a pro from Rose!) at the first sign of rodent activity.
- Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the structure using caulk, steel wool or a combination of both.
- Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows.
- Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens.
- Screen vents and openings to chimneys.
- Keep attics, basements and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry. Consider using a dehumidifier in these areas.
- Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly.
- Keep exterior doors shut at all times.
- Inspect items such as boxes of decorations and grocery bags before bringing them indoors.
- Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and keep shrubbery trimmed and cut back from the house.
Rodent rub marks
The Rose Rodent Solution
Exclusion is our way of solving a rodent problem at the root source, instead of just treating symptoms that could be recurring for years and years. When we come to your home for a Rodent Exclusion Service we will inspect the telltale signs of mice in the house; identify entry points, and seal nooks and crannies to prevent entry in the future. It utilizes Integrated Pest Management methodology and is highly recommended especially for those who have rodent issues every year.
It may be more affordable than you think, too! Get a free quote now!
