Rodent Awareness Week observed Oct. 15-21

IMAGE: NPMA

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) is observing its annual Rodent Awareness Week Oct. 15-21.

The week aims to educate homeowners about rodents and the health and property threats they pose.

“Without fail, pests like rats and mice intrude into millions of homes each year,” Dr. Jim Fredericks, senior vice president of public affairs for NPMA, said in a news release. “To protect families and their properties, we utilize Rodent Awareness Week as an annual reminder of rodent infestations and provide the public with knowledge and tools they can use to keep these pests out of their homes.”

While rodents are searching for their next winter hideout, NPMA is sharing prevention tips for pest management professionals (PMPs) to share with homeowners for the fall and winter season:

• Seal cracks, holes, and other entry points on the outside of the home.
• Keep food stored in tightly sealed containers. Inspect wires, door seals, and walls for gnaw marks, which may indicate a rodent infestation.
• Keep branches and shrubbery trimmed away from the home.
• Store firewood at least 20 feet from the home.
• Be on the lookout for droppings, usually the first sign of an infestation.

According to a recent NPMA survey conducted online by The Harris Poll, 1 in 4 Americans (27 percent) have found a rodent in their home in the past year, and about 1 in 10 Americans (9 percent) have experienced a rodent infestation in their home in the past year.

“Rodents are known to reproduce quickly, and a small problem can become a big issue quickly if left untreated,” Fredericks said.

About the NPMA

The NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 4,000 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.