Cooler Weather = More Rodents
Happy New Year, everyone. With the recent dip in temperature, I wanted to quickly give you my two cents on rodents and how to keep them away.
Rodents adore warmth, so as colder winter weather moves in (which led to snow in places like Las Vegas and Malibu, California recently!), these pesky creatures – one of mankind’s oldest and most reviled pests — are also on the move: into houses, apartments and other climate-controlled buildings searching for grease and fat, which are parts of any self-respecting rodent’s balanced winter diet.
These pests (and their furry cousins) can be extremely destructive, chewing through cables and wirings and building materials such as glass, cinder block, aluminum and lead. These varmints can enter a building through a crack as small as one-half-inch.
According to the Center for Disease Control, the Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome is a disease caused directly from rodent droppings and urine and can mimic the flu. Symptoms include fever, chills, headaches, nausea, abdominal and back pain and gastro-intestinal issues.
Here are some simple steps you can take to prevent rodent infestation that should include the following:
- Seal all food tightly and never allow food to accumulate in open containers.
- If rodent droppings are found, they should be immediately cleaned.
- Check for torn screens and loose attic vents. Seemingly insignificant openings can give rodents access to your home or business.
- Be certain that garbage can lids fit securely.
- Do not allow piles of lumber or other debris to accumulate and eliminate overgrown, weedy patches of flora. They provide attractive shelter for rodents.
By doing these simple things, you can protect your home from becoming a winter wonderland for pests.
Be safe, stay dry, and hope you all have a buzzing day! The Mousecar is riding around with his windows down, looking for more friends on Facebook and tweeps on Twitter – interested?
Barry The Bug Guy
Tags: Rodents
