Keeping rodents out of your home

Rodents actively breed as the weather warms up—one pair of mice can produce as many as 200 offspring in only four months. Upon entering your home, they can spread disease and cause expensive damage. In addition, rodents can contaminate household surfaces with their urine and feces, and have also been known to cause fires by chewing on electrical wiring. Protect your home and health by following these tips:

• To prevent rodents from entering your home in the first place, seal any gaps or holes in the building's structure. Mice can squeeze through holes the diameter of a pinky fingertip, while rats can enter through openings as small as a thumbprint.
• Rodents don't like to be out in the open, so trim back landscaping at least 0.75 m (2.5 ft) away from your home.
• Don't feed pets outdoors and cover trash cans with tight-fitting lids to eliminate potential food sources.

Vanquishing all vermin

Don't let pests have you on the run—take back your backyard oasis and enjoy the warmer weather this summer. Proactively tackling pests can help keep your summer free of pesky disturbances. If you still experience severe infestations, contact a pest management professional trained in pest biology and behaviour. He or she can work with you to identify the source of the problem and develop a plan to protect your property.

Bill Melville is quality assurance director for Orkin PCO Services. Melville has 35 years of experience in the industry and is an acknowledged leader in the field of pest management. He can be reached via e-mail at bmelville@pcocanada.com.