With Winter Comes Rats And Mice

"One of the things pest control firms are especially alert for throughout the late autumn and winter months is an infestation of rodents in homes, apartments, schools, offices, and other structures. When the weather turns cold, there is a wholesale invasion of places where humans live and work because of the warmth and the food and water they provide." These are the words of Pete Jameson, owner and chief technician at Cheshire-based Dynamic Pest Control.

There is a reason, says Pete, why humans do not want to cohabit with rodents. "Rodents have long been known to spread disease, but most people are unaware of the many forms of illness it can take and how seriously it can affect one's life and that of pets as well."

Salmonellosis is among the most common threats resulting from mouse and rat faeces and urine. "The strict enforcement of pest control regulations in restaurants and other food-handling establishments," says Pete, "is the direct result of what is commonly called food poisoning." Pest controllers know that rodents contaminate far more food than they eat.

While not understood well, it is known that allergies can be triggered by the shed hairs of rodents that build up in carpets and in kitchen areas where poorly stored foods such as cereals or spilled pet foods are magnets for mice and rats.

Non-lethal flu-like symptoms in adults is often traced to Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis, which can be attributed as a result of contact with house mouse urine and faeces. In certain cases, the infection has been seen to be passed from mother to child through the placenta, causing birth defects in newborn infants.

Leptospirosis that causes flu-like symptoms that can persist for months is also traced to the presence of rodent urine and faeces. A more serious, sometimes lethal disease, Hantavirus can be transmitted as well, but is considered rare in house mice.

Often overlooked is the damage done as rodents chew through holes providing access to a home and through internal barriers to food sources and nesting materials. When they gnaw on electrical wiring, they are a common cause of house fires.

Rats can squeeze through an opening the size of a 20 pence piece and mice can do the same through a hole the size of a 5p.

"A thorough inspection of one's home, apartment block, office, school or any other structure is vital to ensure that all such points of entry are sealed," says Pete. "In addition, all food should be kept in tight containers. Spills, especially pet food, should be swept up or vacuumed. Since rodents regard cardboard boxes, newspapers and other similar items as idea nesting material, they too should be kept in sealed bins."

While there are rodent baits and traps available to the public, most people are unsure as to where to place them. They are also unsure of how many traps it may take to rid a structure of a family of rats or mice. Pest control technicians are trained to know such things and thus professional pest control offers the best, if not the only, way to get rid of rats and mice.

The recent weather has proved that winter can bring with it a host of problems, but sharing your home, apartment, school, office or other structure with rats and mice is one problem that can be both avoided and solved by relying on pest control professionals.

"For a truly happy new year, ensuring that nature's bounty of rodents and insect pests are eliminated from home and work spaces is a very good idea to protect your health and property."

Article provided by Dynamic Pest Control