Rodent Invasion Prevention Tips from the NPMA

Tuesday, 22nd November 2011

Winter is rapidly approaching, and it is predicted that this year it will be particularly cold and stormy. With the cooler temperatures, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) predicts a spike in the number of rodent invasions throughout the US.

Rodents in the home can cause damage to the structure of the home, including the wallboards and wood, and can cause damage to a home’s electrical wiring system, increasing the risk of house fires. This is in addition to the diseases rodents such as mice and rats are notorious for carrying. As such, it is important to take steps to prevent rodents from entering into your home to reduce risk of exposure to infections and reduce risk of damage to your home.

The NPMA offers several tips to keep rats, mice, and other rodents out of your home:

• Block your chimney vents and openings with screens. These screens will enable air to pass through your chimney, but not unwanted visitors.
• Keep your stack of firewood at least 5 feet off the ground and 20 feet from your home. This will help prevent rodents from infiltrating the stack, and eventually your home when you carry in firewood.
• Use caulking to seal cracks and holes around your home, including areas where plumbing or electrical wires enter your home.
• Dispose of your garbage regularly, and ensure that food is kept in air-tight containers.
• Install, repair, and/or clean your gutters to ensure that water is diverted away from your home.

If you find signs of a rodent, such as feces or gnaw marks, the NPMA recommends calling a pest control professional to handle the problem.

- The Connor’s News Team

(Source can be found here.)

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