Real Estate NewsTired of Being Bugged? How to Keep Winter Pests at Bay in and Around Your Home
It seems that every winter while we"re trying to stay warm and cozy, so are
all sorts of bugs and rodents that creep into our houses and garages.
Why wouldn"t they want to make a home for themselves in your home - after
all, who (or what) wouldn"t want to partake in the comfort your home offers?
But you probably have a different take on the situation. It"s not a
compliment that these things are trying to share your living space - it"s a
nuisance at best and unhealthy at worst.
According to the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, common diseases spread by insects and rodents include
hantavirus, leptospirosis, rabies, tularemia, West Nile Virus, tapeworms,
salmonella, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, strep, staph, polio, murine typhus,
malaria, Lyme disease, dysentery, dengue, cholera and plague.
But never fear. If you know how to arm yourself you can likely handle the
infestation, whether you do it yourself or hire professionals.
Animals
The National Pest Management Association, an association made up of pest control
companies, lists mice, rats, squirrels, raccoons and opossums among the
rodents that may try to infiltrate your home between October and February.
Signs include scampering or gnawing sounds late at night in the attic or
behind walls, and droppings found in undisturbed areas of the house
(pantries, attics, garages, under baseboards, and along walls).
These fuzzy creatures are destructive. They"ll chew through packaged goods,
cardboard boxes, walls near pipes and vents, and electrical wiring.
If you have a rodent problem, you"re not alone. The NPMA says that 21
million households in the U.S. fight rodent infestations each year during
the winter.
Common points of entry include pet doors, holes in walls, missing vent
screens, openings around pipes and dryer duct vents х even openings as small
as a nickel or half dollar.
So what can you do to keep them out? The NPMA suggests sealing all holes of
larger diameter than a pencil, sealing any cracks and voids, and making sure
there"s proper drainage at the foundation, including gutters or diverts
which channel water away from your home.
Insects
According to the NPMA, common home-invader insects include cockroaches,
termites, ants, flies, pantry pests, wasps, fleas, ticks, spiders and
silverfish.
To prevent infestation, keep gutters free of debris, repair fascia and
soffits, replace rotted or broken roof shingles, prune vegetation back from
roof, caulk around windows and doors, replace weather stripping and repair
loose mortar around basement foundation and windows, and make sure attic
vents are in good condition.
For more extensive do-it-yourself tips, visit www.Cyberpestcontrol.com, a company with more than 100
years experience in the pest control industry.
The Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc., the umbrella organization of
the nationwide Better Business
Bureau system, says in a consumer report, "In some cases you may be able
to eradicate (pests) yourself; in others you may need to hire professional
services."
The BBB advises that even in do-it-yourself cases, it is a good idea to
check with a pest management company to get up-to-date information on
chemicals that should be used.
"Selecting a qualified and licensed pest management company is critically
important," says Robert Lederer, executive vice president of the NPMA. "At
stake is not only the effective elimination of your pest problem but also
the health and safety of you and your family," he says.
Before you hire a pro, the NPMA recommends:
Certification. Call the certifying state agency for information about pest
management professionals in your area. They are required to attend pesticide
safety and applicator certification at least every two years.
A license. Ask to see their license and make sure they are a member of
national, state or local pest management associations.
Referrals. Ask people to recommend companies they"ve used successfully.
Reliability. Check with your local BBB for a reliability report and to see
if complaints have been filed against the company.
Bids. If a sizable amount of money is involved, get several bids.
Before signing a contract, be sure you fully understand the nature of the
pest problem, the extent of the infestation, and the work necessary to solve
the problem.
Liability insurance. Make sure the company has this to cover any damages
to your house or possessions during treatment.
If a guarantee is given, know what it covers, how long it lasts, what you
must do to keep it in force, and what kind of continuing prevention and
management practices are necessary.
And if you opt to try store-bought pesticides to eradicate your pests, be
sure to follow the instructions, keep them in their original containers, and
always keep them out of reach of your children and pets.
For a list of licensed and qualified pest management professionals in your
area, visit www.pestworld.org.