With the onset of winter your home becomes a refuge, but not just for your family. As temperatures cool down, rodents, including mice, rats and squirrels, often take shelter in homes, causing potential hazards to both health and property. Larger animals such as opossums and raccoons can also move in.
According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), rodents invade an estimated 21 million homes every winter. Rodents can enter homes through almost any opening. Once inside, they can cause severe damage as they can chew through wallboards, cardboard, wood and even electrical wiring, increasing the potential risk of a fire. Rodent droppings can cause allergies and disease.
Cute Squirrel
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Not So Cute Squirrel Damage
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While most of these pests will return to the outdoors again when it warms, it’s best to inspect now for signs of activity and take steps to evict them if possible. On the inside, look for rodent droppings or food debris in undisturbed areas, including basements, attics, and garages, and food storage and prep areas. Check around the inside and outside perimeter of the house near ground level and at the roof edge or eaves. Wood is a favorite target of these pests, but they can gnaw through metal or just about any exterior wall material except concrete or masonry. Wood softened by decay is particularly prone to rodent damage. Any suddenly appearing holes at the roof edge, or in the fascia or soffits, may be signs of squirrel or other pest activity.
The NPMA also recommends taking these precautions to keep rodents outside:
- Make sure all holes, cracks and voids are sealed.
- Maintain proper drainage at the foundation and install gutters.
- Keep branches and other plants cut back from the house.
If you find rodents in your home, call a local pest professional to identify and correct the problem. For more information on rodents and other pests, visit www.pestworld.org.
Remember, these tips are only general guidelines. Since each situation is different, contact a professional if you have questions about a specific issue. More home safety and maintenance information is available online at www.housemaster.com.
