This is the time of year when unwelcome guests start to arrive and make themselves at home in your house. Yes, we’re talking about rodents! Mice, squirrels and other little creatures consider cellars, attics and crawl spaces to be prime winter real estate, and if you have any outdoor livestock, rodents will seek out their spots as well. You might see, smell or hear the rodents invading, or your pets may alert you to their presence. Rodents pose a health risk to humans and pets. They can contaminate water and stored food, chew wiring and cause electrical problems, and they can carry disease pathogens and parasites. In fact, the white footed mouse is considered a “critical host” for black-legged ticks, which can carry Lyme disease. What to do? 1. Store pet food in rodent-proof containers, and keep the lids secure. This is especially true if you have livestock outdoors. 2. Keep areas clean. 3. If you find evidence of rodents, follow these CDC guidelines for cleaning up: cdc.gov/rodents/cleaning/index.html If you decide to use rodenticides, it is imperative that you follow the directions closely, and use them in places that are not accessible by children or pets. Remember, they’re designed to attract and kill small animals! Store any unused rodenticides in a safe spot where your pets can’t find it.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 16:00:46 +0000
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