When it gets cold outside there is nothing nicer than sitting inside a nice warm home. Sadly rodents share this feeling. 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. Outside, most rodents survive on the native plant life and on edible seeds, but these natural foods are often not present during the frigid winter months, so these rodents are forced to look elsewhere for sustenance.
Finding their way into your home through any number of tiny exterior openings. All they need is a 1/2-inch opening to get inside, and some tiny mice can even get in through as little as a 1/4-inch gap. In addition to squeezing into tiny places, all rodents are excellent climbers and can get into your home via utility openings and vents just by following the pipes and lines. Having rodents in your home can be dangerous. Rodents are seen as fire hazards, they like to gnaw and will often target electrical wiring which can cause fires, they can also spread any amount of disease through their excrement and bites.
There are more than 200 known pathogens that humans can contract from rodents. There are some really nasty diseases too, like Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, or HPS, and the plague which can both be deadly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that HPS, which is usually spread through the environment via airborne particles from fecal matter, saliva, or urine of deer mice, has been found in 30 states in the last 15 years. There were 465 cases reported, with almost 35% ending in fatality.
The plague is very rare but there are still around 12 cases reported in the United States each year. For some time rodents have been accountable for detrimental effects on human health. This can date back to the horrible pandemics of the plague in 14th century Europe, and these diseases can still pose a deadly risk in modern times. Even though there is a limited number of pathogens rodents carry that are dangerous to human health, the possibility of rodent invasion needs to be taken seriously.
As opposed to what some people think, rodents do not mean a house is unkempt or uncared for. Although it is true that easy access to food and clutter make for an appealing home to a rodent, the fact is any home can be invaded by rodents. If you are worried about potentially having a rodent invasion, here are some signs to look out for. There are a few telltale signs left behind by rodents that may indicate their presence like dark colored droppings (usually 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length), the gnawed remnants of food in your pantry, oily markings on the wall where they have rubbed against it, gnawed wooden frames and furniture, and the sound of scampering in the pantry or behind walls.
If a homeowner thinks they could have a rodent problem, they need to get a hold of an expert. Most often, pest control experts will use a combination of poisons and traps to try and remove the rodents from your home. You may think you can lay down poison and traps yourself, however a professional will likely prove more effective in their placing and use of such things. In order to help put a stop to rodent invasions, apply these helpful tips to help organize your home for the colder temperatures to come later in the year. When piling firewood, keep it stored away from the edge of your home and keep it off the ground. Get rid of any debris, brick or rock piles in your yard. If anything like that is by your home’s foundation, it will offer a safe place for rodents to hide and enter your home.
Look for cracks or holes that are 1/4″ or larger and seal them appropriately. If you find any large gaps, make sure you use place steel wool or wire mesh inside the crack before you seal it. Inspect the vents in the attic and foundation; make sure that 1/4″ hardware cloth covers these openings. Reinforce flimsy insect screens with tight fitting weather strips along the base of your doors. Trees and shrubs provide shelter as well as a way to climb, so trim back any branches that might hang over or near your house and keep shrubbery cut back from the side of any structures.
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