Rodent Awareness Week is October 20-26, 2019
Did you know that rodents seek shelter in more than 21 million homes each winter? As the weather cools off, Terminix Service, Inc. is joining the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) to promote Rodent Awareness Week, declared for Oct. 20-26.
“Rodents not only wreak havoc on your home, chewing through cables and destroying insulation, but these pests are known to spread a variety of dangerous diseases,” said Josh Blythe, wildlife branch manager for Terminix Service, Inc. “It’s important for homeowners to know how to spot a rodent infestation within their homes and to take the necessary steps to avoid these unwanted visitors.”
Common signs of a rodent infestation include:
- Droppings & Urine Staining: Fecal pellets are often left behind in places where their food is stored, such as attics, soffits, window dormers, as well as wall cavities and on top of wall beams. Dark-colored stains may appear on walls and leak between tongue & groove ceilings.
- Gnaw marks: Rodents will chew through air vents, exterior walls, roofs, and fascia boards along the gutterline. Once inside, they are known to bite through walls, wood, and wires. The damage to wiring within walls can increase the risk of a house fire.
- Nests: Rodents prefer to nest in dark, secluded areas where there is little chance of disturbance. Be on the lookout for shredded insulation, leaves and woody debris inside attics and void spaces. Debris hanging out of an air vent is a dead giveaway you have a problem.
- Rub marks: Rodents tend to leave dark grease or dirt marks — from their oily fur — around entry point holes and on posts or columns as they follow a trail in and out of the home between their nest and food.
- Strange noises: Scurrying in the walls or in the attic could mean a rodent family is present. Gray squirrels are most active at dawn and dusk whereas flying squirrels are active only at night.
If a rodent infestation is suspected, it’s best to contact an experienced wildlife control professional to assess the situation. For more information on rodents here.