Rodents are difficult pests to keep out of structures. Mice can squeeze their bodies through openings as small as a dime and rats can pass through holes as small as a quarter. The most commonly encountered and economically important of the commensal rodents, house mice are a nuisance as well as a significant threat to health and property.
House mice can carry diseases and contaminate stored food in the homes where they live. They have been implicated in the spread of salmonella through their feces. Micro droplets of their urine can cause allergies in children. The feces they leave behind in the home also carries bacteria. Inhaling dust that contains dried mouse feces may cause allergies or asthma flare ups. Mice can also bring other pests, such as fleas, mites, ticks, and lice, into your home.
Luckily, there are many ways homeowners can proactively prevent and discourage rodent infestations in their homes:
- Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens.
- Screen vents and openings to chimneys.
- Seal cracks and holes on the exterior of the home, including areas where utilities and pipes enter the home, using caulk, steel wool, or a combination of both.
- Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly.
- Keep attics, basements, and crawlspaces well ventilated and dry.
- Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows.
- Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains. These provide a perfect place for pests to nest.
- Inspect items such as boxes, grocery bags, and other packages brought into the home.
- Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and keep shrubbery trimmed and cut back from the house.
If you notice things such as gnaw marks, droppings, tracks, rub marks, burrows, the smell of urine, damaged goods, or an actual rodent, you likely have a rodent infestation and should contact your pest management professional to conduct an inspection and recommend a course of action to eliminate the infestation.
If you think you have a problem with any type of rodents . . . or another pest. . . or simply have a question. . . call Faith Pest Control at 770-823-9202. We’ll be happy to speak with you any time.
Here’s to helping YOU live PEST FREE,
Erica
P.S. And be sure to ask about our FREE 58 Point Pest Analysis of your home or office!
