Winter’s Chill Drives Rodents Indoors

Winter’s Chill Drives Nuisance Animals Rodents Indoors

 

rats in cold weather
Rats looking for warmer space.

By NPMA Staff

 

During the chilly winter months, most people seek refuge in the warmth of their homes, but they are not alone. From October through February, rodents, including mice, rats and squirrels, often take shelter in homes, causing potential hazards to both health and property.

Rodents seek to protect themselves from winter’s chill by invading your home, says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for NPMA. Rodents invade an estimated 21 million homes in the United States every winter and are a considerable health and property nuisance.

Rodents can enter homes through almost any opening. Once inside, rodents can cause severe damage as they can chew through wallboards, cardboard, wood and even electrical wiring, increasing the potential risk of a fire.

Henriksen advises homeowners to inspect for rodent droppings in undisturbed areas, including pantries, attics, and garages as these droppings can cause allergies and disease, such as Hantavirus.

NPMA also recommends taking these precautions to keep rodents outside:

 

  • Make sure all holes, cracks and voids are sealed.

 

  • Don’t overlook proper drainage at the foundation and install gutters.

 

  • Keep branches and other plants cut back from the house.

 

  • If you find rodents in your home, call a local pest professional to identify and correct the problem.

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed limiting the use of several rodent bait products to certified applicators who have had sufficient training to know when and how to use these products in order to limit risks. Although homeowners will be prohibited from purchasing these rodenticides, licensed pest professionals will be allowed to purchase and apply these products to meet critical public health needs.

Homeowners facing rodent problems can benefit from the knowledge and training of licensed pest professionals in areas such as rodent biology and integrated pest management. They should feel encouraged to contact a pest professional for a complete inspection and treatment, if necessary.

http://www.pestworld.org/news-and-views/pest-articles/articles/winters-chill-drives-rodents-indoors/

 

I Love my Job

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It’s not every day you see something like this at 12:30 in the afternoon. Deer, grazing in the middle of Lakewood Ranch! I snapped a picture on my way to a consultation the other day. This is one of the reasons I love my job. At any hour of the day or night I get to see wildlife. Whether it’s deer eating plants by a retention pond or cranes and pelicans flying overhead, I never get tired of it.
Of course, seeing deer eating plants isn’t that great if they’re eating the plants in your yard, but that’s why it’s good to have the number of a reliable and professional wildlife removal service like mine. I can help you discourage deer from foraging in your landscape because I know what kind of plants and scents they don’t like. I can also trap them, if that’s what’s needed.

There’s a little downside to my work, though. I also do dead deer removal. If a deer’s been hit in front of your house, I’m the one to call. In my company, dead deer removal is done quickly and respectfully, taking care of the problem for you and your neighbors with a minimum of fuss. This service extends to all types of dead animal removal. From rodents indoors to birds, alligators, snakes, armadillos outdoors or any poor creature with bad luck, we take care of them all.

Few things are as messy and sad as dead animal removal. That’s why a picture like this reminds me why I love my job. After a long day, or even the start of one, the sight of deer, calmly grazing without a worry in the world, just makes the day better!