When it comes to hosting and entertaining, most homeowners prefer to focus on the fun, aesthetically pleasing tasks, like designing the perfect outdoor spaces, determining on-trend color palettes and selecting the best and brightest plants. No one likes to consider that they may be inviting mice or other rodents in to their home, along with their human party guests.
The thought of mice and other rodents in your home sends chills up the spine – and rightfully so. Mice and other rodents can spread harmful disease and significantly damage property. Rodents can carry many diseases, some of which are potentially deadly to humans such as Salmonellosis, Listeria, and Rat-Bite Fever.
Not only can they put you and your loved ones at risk of contracting harmful and potentially deadly diseases, mice and rats are capable of gnawing through insulation, wallboards, cardboard and wood in and around your home. These pests are also a fire hazard, as they can chew through electric wires igniting a structure fire. In fact, exposed wires from mice are believed to cause 25% of U.S. house fires.
Increase your rodent security to keep your pets, family and property safe by following these tips:
Preventing Rodent Residents:
- Check for cracks and holes on the outside of your home, including where utilities and pipes connect, as these are easy sources for unwanted guests to enter. Seal up the holes and replace any damaged screens on windows and doors.
- Remove “nesting” cites in and around your home and lawn, including leaf piles and mulch. Be sure to store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and keep shrubbery trimmed and cut back from the house.
- Keep attics, basements and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry.
- Call the pros to find, remove and prevent re-entry from rodents.
How to Spot a Rodent Infestation:
- Nesting materials, including stuffing from furniture, newspaper, fabric or dried plants.
- Droppings in and around places you store food, including drawers, cupboards or under the sink.
- Holes in your walls, floors or on packaging of items.
- Stale smells that seem to be coming from hidden areas.
