Protecting Your Home From Cold Weather Invasions

Saturday, March 1, 2003

(NAPSA)—Asthe cold weather sets in, an estimated 21 million U.S. homes will be invaded by rodents this year. Rats and mice, who once made their homes outdoors, will begin traveling indoors seeking food, water and shelter. Some signs that rodents may have invaded your homeare: Droppings in non-congested areas such as the attic, garage, under baseboards and along walls, as well as common areas such as the kitchen. e Scampering or gnawing sounds late at night from behind the walls, basementor attic. Your cat or dog pawing excit- edly at a kitchen cabinet, the base of yourrefrigerator or wall. Home improvement expert Lou Manfredini, aka Mr. Fix-It, offers tips on how to make sure these critters do not invade your home. Keeppiles of freshly chopped firewood away from the foundation of your home and make sure you trim the bushes and trees that are next to the house to prevent rodents from nesting in these areas. You do not want to create a safe haven for rodentsto live in. Mice can squeeze through spaces as small as a dime. Therefore, conduct an inspection of your home. Seal up all potential entrances with steel wool, sheet metal or cement. Expandable foam, available at hardware stores, works well to keep them out. No food, no water, no prob- lem. Keep all food, water and garbage in containers with tight- When the weather outside is frightful, rats and mice look for somewhere delightful to spend the winter. Could it be your house? fitting lids. Never leave food or water out overnight, even for your pets. And if your pets do their business in the backyard, make sure to pick up after them every night. While it’s not a pleasant thought, animal droppings are a food source for rodents. Wash dishes immediately after use. Sweep the floors and wipe down all countertops to ensure no crumbsare left behind. Inspect under your cabinets, especially under the sink—and seal up any openings around the plumbing pipes. Be proactive and keep a sup- ply of d-CON” Rodenticides on hand. Regular baiting and trapping helps deter rodents. For more information on rodent prevention, or for a free brochure, you can call the folks at d-CON’ Rodenticides at 1-800-395-3266.

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