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Rodents
and how to keep them away
During the winter months, pests such
as mice and rats, and even animals such as squirrels, raccoons and
opossums may find their way indoors. Almost any opening will accommodate
rodents. These openings include pet doors, holes in the wall, missing
vent screens, openings around pipes, and dryer duct vents. The roof may
also provide an opening for rats. They are able to climb plants or trees
that are too close to the house; thus the name "roof rat."
Mice are able to squeeze through an opening as small as a nickel; and
rats
may squeeze through a space the size of a half dollar.
Approximately 21,000,000 homes in the U.S. are invaded by rodents each
winter. They try to come inside from October through February or March.
When house mice travel around their territory, they emit hundreds of
micro-droplets of urine. According to a medical research study, a
protein in house mouse urine known as MUP (mouse urinary protein) caused
allergies in 18% of inner city children.
When you hear scampering or gnawing sounds late at night in the attic or
walls, you know you have rodents. Other signs of rodents include
droppings, which may be found in areas of the home such as pantries,
attics, garages, under baseboards and along walls.
You may find teeth marks or gnawing on packaged goods, cardboard boxes
and
walls which are near vents or pipes. Rodents may be very destructive
inside
homes. They can chew through wallboards, boxes, wood and plaster. They
may
even gnaw on electrical wiring, which could cause an electrical fire.
Rodents may be responsible for spreading diseases through their waste
and fleas. Both domestic and wild rodents may harbor and spread as many
as 200 human pathogens. The deer mouse and pack rats can spread the
arena virus and
hantavirus, which can be fatal.
The hantavirus was first diagnosed during the Korean War when soldiers
became ill with hemorrhagic fever and renal syndrome (HFRS). Hantavirus
is normally contracted from inhaling airborne particles from rodent
droppings, urine or saliva left by infected rodents or through direct
contact with infected rodents. Nearly half of the people who contract
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) will die from it; although it is a
rare form of the virus. After suffering from flu-like symptoms, victims
of lethal cases of HPS die suddenly from severe lung damage.
Keeping Rodents Out:
In order to keep rodents out of your home, seal any cracks or holes in
the wall. Proper drainage at the foundation of your home is also very
important. Keep gutters in proper condition in order to divert water
away from the building.
You should contact a professional pest control technician for assistance
in pest proofing your home. A pest control technician can identify the
problem, survey the home for rodents and control the rodents using an
IPM (Integrated Pest Management) program. A pest management technician
has the knowledge and
training, as well as the tools necessary to protect your home against
the destructive rodents and pests. He knows where to search for the
problem and how to target the problem in order to pest proof and rodent
proof your home.
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