Every year, as families are gearing up for trips to the pumpkin patch and trick-or-treat night, rodents begin their search for a winter hideout. When temperatures drop and food sources become scarce, mice and rats desperately invade homes across the U.S.
In a recent online survey conducted by The Harris Poll, 49% of Americans reported issues with rodents in their home and 14% reported an infestation. This Rodent Awareness Week, happening October 16-22, 2022, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) is sharing prevention tips to help homeowners keep these pests outdoors.
“Mice and rats are sneaky, squeezing through openings in a structure the size of a dime and quarter, respectively,” said Dr. Jim Fredericks, chief entomologist for the National Pest Management Association. “Capable of spreading more than 35 diseases, including Salmonella and hantavirus, it’s important to practice proper prevention to keep yourself and your family protected from the health threats associated with rodents.”
Even the tidiest of homes are at risk for a rodent infestation this fall. Luckily, proper prevention can be done in a few easy steps:
If you suspect an infestation, it is best to contact a pest control professional for assistance. Rodents reproduce quickly, making an infestation difficult to control.
The NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 5,500 members, was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry’s commitment to the protection of public health, food and property from the diseases and dangers of pests.
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of the National Pest Management Association from September 6-8, 2022, among over 1,300 U.S. homeowners ages 18 and older. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within + 2.8 percentage points using a 95% confidence level.
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