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When it gets cold outside we all seek shelter in a warm home. It is regrettable that rodents feel the same way. It is estimated that 21 million American homes are invaded by rodents each winter thanks to the cold weather and difficulty in finding food supplies. Typically, rodents live off of vegetation and seeds but are pushed to move in on human residences for food when the freezing winter weather or drought sets in. Minuscule openings in the exterior of your home are enough to invite a rat or mouse to come inside. An opening as small as 1/2 inch can be big enough for a rodent to get into your home, and some mice may be able to make it through 1/4 inch holes. Rodents may also gain entry through vents or utility openings, being skilled climbers there is no place they can not reach. They may seem harmless, but it can be very dangerous to live with rodents. One of the more dangerous threats they pose is as fire hazard, due to the way that they chew through electrical wiring, and the other is the types of deadly diseases they can spread through their excrement. Over 200 human pathogens are carried by rodents. What is scary is the knowledge that some of these diseases can be fatal, such as the plague and HPS, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. HPS which is spread though the saliva, feces, and urine of infected deer mice, has been identified in 30 states in 14 years, these figures were published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thirty-five percent of the total 465 reported cases resulted in death. And while many people believe the plague no longer exists, there are an average of 12 cases reported every year in the United States. The health of humans and rodents have long been intertwined. As far back as the 14th century rodents can be blamed for the quick spread of the plague that ravaged much of Europe, although no longer a great concern these days, rodents still carry harmful diseases. Do not get too worried however, only very few diseases rodents carry are deadly, although infestations should still not be taken lightly. Many people believe that if rodents take shelter in their home, it indicates that their home is dirty. Rodents look for any advantage and will enter any structure where they think there might be easy access to food and warmth, and a cluttered environment will only make it more appealing. There are some things you can look out for to determine if you have a rodent infestation in your home. There are some easily spotted marks of a rodent presence such as dark colored droppings about 1/4 to 1/2 in length, oily smears along walls that they pass by frequently, food boxes, door frames or furniture legs that have been gnawed, and any rustling sounds or other sounds of movement that seem to come from pantries, walls or ceilings. If you detect any of these signs, then call a professional pest control expert right away. Some of the most frequently used extermination techniques that pest control professionals apply comprise of the use of rodenticides and traps. The quality of the poison and knowledge of how and where to trap them is what makes hiring a professional your best bet for elimination. There are certain things you can do to prevent rodents invading your home during colder seasons. If you have firewood outside keep it a fair distance from your home as not to provide shelter for rodents who will then take the opportunity to gain access to your home when they see the chance, also keep it stored off the ground. If you have any debris around the outside of your home, such as bricks or stones then clear this away. Such things will shelter rodents and could even hide cracks or holes in the walls of your home that allow access inside. * Any holes or cracks that are larger than a 1/4-inch should be sealed. Larger openings should first be stuffed with wire mesh before you seal them. Check foundation and attic vents and cover them with some hardware cloth of about 1/4 inch, make sure it is tight fitting. The methods you can use to prevent insect infestation will not be effective against rodents, so be sure to install tight weather stripping. Make sure that any shrubbery is offset from the foundation of the home and that tree branches are trimmed from coming in close contact with the walls or roof.
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