October 23-29, 2017, we will be observing Rodent Awareness Week, and we hope you'll join us. While this nationally observed week may not be as exciting as Christmas or Thanksgiving, it is definitely something every home or business owner should take part in. If we've learned anything from Christmas and Thanksgiving, it is that it is better to give than receive. Give the gift of knowledge during this year's Rodent Awareness Week. It may just help someone in their battle to control rodents at home.
Why Is Rodent Awareness Week So Important?
Local rodent infestations are one of the most misunderstood pest threats that face homes and businesses. Here are a few things you should know:
- October is the beginning of rodent season. This is because the cold weather often drives rodents into man-made structures. It is essential that every property owner do a detailed inspection and seal up any holes, gaps, or cracks before rodents start looking for a way in. It only takes a hole the size of a dime to let most mice in.
- When rodents get in, they are usually happy to stay. Rodents are skittish creatures that enjoy the safety of our walls and ceilings.
- Rodents are not picky about where they forage. They are as comfortable in a dumpster as they are in your pantry.
- Rodents can spread illness in several ways. They pick up harmful bacteria on their fur and spread it as they crawl around. They are able to carry disease in their bellies and spread it with their feces and urine--which they leave everywhere they go. And they can carry parasites that also spread human pathogens.
- When rodents get in, it is common for a secondary infestation of mites, ticks, or fleas to occur. A single field mouse can have as many as 100 deer ticks on its body.
- Rodents have incisors that never stop growing. For this reason, they are constantly chewing. They chew holes in sheetrock, insulation, window and door frames, food packages. They even cut through wires in wall voids.
What Can You Do To Take Part?
Through the power of social media, we all have a voice. During Rodent Awareness Week, post one of the points above and let your friends and family know that rodents are a serious problem. By sharing the above information, you'll empower people to take action to seal these rodents out, or to reach out to a professional pest control to arrest an infestation when it begins. There are no home benefits from having rodents. Ever.