Don't Be Rattled By Rodents

Tuesday, March 1, 2005

Don’t Be Rattled By Rodents (NAPSA)—A recent survey found that rodents are the nation’s most unwelcome pest. What’s more, rodents are most likely to make people scream. These household invaders seek comfort in your home and are known to be dangerous. Rodents are known to carry and spread a variety of diseases that can be transmitted to humans through their urine and droppings and from a bite. Other diseases spread by rodents can be transmitted by the fleas or mites that they carry. The house mouse is the primary carrier of an illness called LCMV. Some people with normal immunesystems have no symptoms during LCMV infection. Others have a mild illness with symptoms such as headache, fever, chills and muscle aches. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pregnant women or women who are planning to become pregnant who reside in a household with a wild rodent infestation should have the infestation controlled promptly by a professional pest control company. Rodents easily make their way into our homes, as rats are capa- ble of squeezing through a space as tiny as a quarter, and mice are notorious for chewing their way through walls. “Because rodents are such unwelcome pests, homeowners should protect their homes by reducing conditions that appeal to rodents,” says Orkin Technical director Frank Meek. Orkin recommendsthe following tips to guard your home from rodents: Seal gaps and holes inside A pest managementprofessional can help identify and eliminate rodent problems. and outside the home andinstall weather strips at the bottom of exterior doors. If you can stick a pencil under the door, then a pest can enter your home. Trim branches, plants and bushes that hang over the home. Keep the interior of the home clean, storing all food, including pet food and garbage, in properly sealed containers. Do not leave dishes in the sink or pet food out overnight. Elevate firewood and store it as far from the homeaspossible. Take precautions when cleaning rodent infestations by notstirring dust when sweeping or vacuuming up droppings, urine, or nesting materials. Not only are rodents proven disease carriers, but they can be difficult to find and control. That’s why it’s important to contact a licensed pest control company for help in identifying and eliminating rodent problems. Orkin offers information and tips on rodent prevention at www.orkin.com. For more information regarding health risks resulting from rodents, visit www.cdc.gov.

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