No one likes to see a mouse in the house. Seeing a flash of fur dashing along the baseboard can startle the heartiest homeowner, and finding a pile of pellets in the pantry isn't an appetizing way to plan a meal. Now animal researchers at Tufts University have found a new reason to mouse-proof your house. The scientists have discovered a new illness related to Lyme disease that's carried by the ticks that frequently ride those roaming mice wherever they scamper.
Ticks are terrific disseminators of disease because they have a huge hunger for blood - drinking up to 200 times their own body weight - combined with a wide palate. Any animal will do for a quick meal, so thirsty ticks hop between mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, swiftly spreading germs and viruses. A wandering mouse is a favorite host for ticks because it searches over a broad area for its favorite meals of seeds and insects. A deer mouse is also creative in finding new nesting spots, such as woodpiles and house decks outdoors, or basements and wall voids inside a house.
Fortunately, pest control management workers know some simple steps for keeping mice out of residential homes. The best prevention is to keep the critters out of the house before they make themselves comfortable and build a nest. Search out the smallest holes around your house, making sure those screens over attic vents and dryer exhausts are firmly attached, inspecting weather stripping around doors and windows, and replacing loose putty around utility lines and wires that pass through house walls.
"The most effective means of pest control is controlling the problem before it becomes a problem," Missy Henriksen, spokeswoman for the National Pest Management Association, told The Denver Post.
Another step for effective mouse control is cutting back shrubs and landscaping that touch your home, and rodent-proofing your garbage cans by elevating them on wooden platforms. Some homeowners also fasten trash bin lids with rubber cords to discourage curious pests.
After making a careful inspection of the outside of your home, head indoors to hide the food that usually attracts the mice in the first place. Use heavy plastic containers to store foods such as grains, pet food and bird seed. Pick up your pet's food and water bowls overnight to remove another temptation.
The third stage of mouse prevention is to set traps, from basic snap-traps to glue, poison or electronic versions. And never hesitate to call in a professional pest control service such as Abell Pest Control.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
