Now that the holidays are behind us and all the relatives have gone home (double check the guestroom closet in case Aunt Nancy left her pet Pomeranian behind!) it is back to the business of keeping pests from invading your living and work space.
I have spent a good chunk of my years at Western Exterminator doing just that for customers. But I am not alone in this effort. I have nearly 900 colleagues at Western who are with me on a daily basis making sure those creepy, crawly and flying insects stay away for good.
As you read in my blog last week one of my New Year’s resolutions is to help our customers live a pest-free life. In 2012 I will regularly share valuable tips on how to do just that.
The first topic is one near and dear to me – rodent control. These furry little invaders know no shame when it comes to trying to invite themselves into your home or business.
They are sneaky, patient creatures (sneaky is Menace Mouse’s middle name!) that can not only cause damage to structures and electrical wires but can also transmit diseases.
How do you know if you have a rodent problem? Here are some telltale signs to look for:
Rodent Droppings. Rodent droppings and urine are some of the first signs you have rodents. Look for rodent droppings near food sources such as pet feeding areas, in storage areas and recycling bins. The droppings sort of look like a fat piece of rice and are usually black in color and ¼ to ½ inch long.
Chewed Electrical Wires. Rodents will chew almost anything and electrical wires are a popular “snack.” In fact, almost 40% of home fires of unknown origin are due to rodents chewing through electrical wire insulation!
Entrance Points. Openings as small as ¼ to ½ inch in diameter provides rodents an entrance into a structure. Remember to look high and low for openings including the foundation, around door and window frames, garage doors, vents and roofs.
Unexplained Damage. Rodents are prodigious gatherers of “stuff” when building a nest. They will chew on carpet, upholstery and drapes for nesting materials, and have been known to chew through screens to gain access – talk about pushy!
In fact, my neighbor went on vacation one time and came back to a once beautiful violet garden in her greenhouse that was completely devoid of flowers and leaves because a rodent family had taken up residence. The nerve! Needless to say, once she called me that problem was solved immediately!
Do you have questions on whether or not you have a mouse in your house? If so, I want to hear them. You can send me an e-mail at AskMrLittle@WesternExterminator.com. I’ll be sure to get back to you right away with an answer.
Until next time, thanks for making Western Exterminator Company “The Final Word in Pest Control®”
Have a pest free day.
