A holistic approach to pest prevention includes all aspects of Integrated Pest Management, or IPM. Simply put, this means that all possible methods of preventing and/or controlling pests are employed, rather than relying exclusively on chemical applications. One important aspect of IPM that should be stressed at this time of year is exclusion – denying pests entry into homes and businesses.
With the weather getting cooler, rodents may become unwelcome guests in your home as they seek shelter for the winter months. Here are just a few rodent facts that might surprise you:
1. Mice can sneak into your home through a hole roughly the size of a nickel!
2. Rats only need a hole the size of a quarter to gain entry!
3. Rats and mice are linked to at least 35 diseases worldwide.
4. Mice breed year-round; they are sexually mature at 6-8 weeks, and a female produces a litter of 5-10 offspring.
5. Norway rats can produce 30-60 offspring per year, and reach sexual maturity at 8-12 weeks.
Under favorable conditions, pest rodents can build up tremendous populations in a short time! Keeping them out of your home or business is essential to maintaining a healthy indoor environment. When cleaning up after a rodent infestation, it is a good idea to maintain ventilation and disinfect the area with a 1:10 bleach:water solution. Take care not to stir up dust while cleaning. Always be sure to thoroughly wash your hands after cleaning up any signs of infestation or rodent nests. To keep these critters out in the first place, there are several places inside and outside of the home which should be examined and sealed up if necessary. Your Black Pest Prevention Technician is equipped to inspect and seal these areas. For the do-it-yourselfer, there is a great resource online, complements of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at http://www.cdc.gov/rodents/prevent_rodents/seal_up.htm.
Other, smaller pests such as ants, earwigs, and millipedes can gain access to your home through small gaps such as broken or bent screens, worn door sweeps, and gaps in fascia boards or trim. Bushes and shrubs touching the side of a home can allow ants to bypass pesticide applications, resulting in control failures and persistent problems. Taking steps to proactively deny pests access to your home makes you an effective partner in our efforts to reduce pesticide use and provide a greener, all-inclusive service to protect you and your family.
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