Frayed Wires? A Rodent Could Be The Culprit

Bug Busters USA shares advice for avoiding mice and rats during Rodent Awareness Week

Car and house wiring issues can be expensive and sometimes downright dangerous. Believe it or not, rodents like mice and rats could be the culprits behind the damage. While many people are aware of the health risks posed by rodents spread, it’s often a surprise that they also have a love for gnawing on wires, putting property at risk for house fires and car issues. To promote greater awareness about rodent health and property issues, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) has declared October 21-27 to be Rodent Awareness Week. Bug Busters USA is joining NPMA in this important effort by educating homeowners on the threat of rodents and signs that could indicate rats or mice are a problem on properties.

Rodents spend about three percent of their daily activity just gnawing on objects like wires — sometimes causing issues behind a home’s walls or underneath the hood of a car. It’s important to take the proper precautions to prevent a rodent infestation in your garage and house to avoid these vandal visitors. Entering into cars and homes is easy since rats and mice can squeeze through tiny openings and gaps, some as small as a dime.

Here are the top 10 tips for avoiding rodent problems, according to NPMA’s consumer education site, PestWorld.org:

1. Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens
2. Screen vents and openings to chimneys
3. Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the home, including areas where utilities and pipes enter the home, using caulk and/or steel wool, and don’t forget to seal up points of entry into the garage
4. Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly
5. Keep attics, basements and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry
6. Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows
7. Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains that provide the perfect breeding site for pests
8. Inspect items such as boxes, grocery bags and other packages brought into the home or car
9. Regularly inspect under the hood of vehicles for gnawed materials, nests, droppings or frayed wires
10. Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and keep shrubbery trimmed and cut back from the house

If a rodent infestation is suspected, it’s best to contact a licensed pest control professional to assess the situation. For more information on rodents and prevention tips, please visit www.bugbustersusa.com