Rid Your Home of Rodents (NAPSA)—Is there a mouse in your house? More than an annoyance, these tiny rodents can be a big threat to your family’s health. Rodents invade an estimated 21 million homes each year—where, during the span of 12 months, a single pair of mice can generate over 15,000 descendants. Studies show that mice are a leading cause of asthma in innercity children; they are also carriers of numerousdiseases, including salmonella, trichinosis, leptospirosis andthe often-deadly hantavirus. In order to survive and thrive, rodents need three elements: food, water and shelter, say the experts at d-CON, a leading manufacturer of rodenticides and traps. Here’s what you can do to prevent your home from becoming a haven for invading rodents: Remove items that are poten- tial nesting sites—Remove stacks of newspapers, storage and card- board boxes, firewood, lumber and building supplies from shelves andfloors. Keep your house clean— Wash dishes and cooking utensils and clean spilled food from counters and floors immediately. Dispose of any trash andclutter. Ensure food and garbage storage—Keepall food, water and garbage in metal or thick plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. Never leave food or water out overnight. Keep the areas surrounding a house well maintained—Trim bushes, hedges and plant debris away from the foundation to reduce nesting. Seal up potential entrances—Mice can squeeze through spaces as small as a dime, soit’s Have a mouse-free house: Put mouse traps and baits in many parts of your home, say experts. wise to seal up potential rodent entrances to your home with sheet metal, steel wool or cement. Pay particular attention to spaces around pipes, vents and ducts. * Use rodenticides—Keep a supply of rodenticide products such as d-CON?bait and traps on hand and use regularly in many parts of the home: 1.Baits can be placed in inaccessible locations that allow mice and rats to consume the poison and then go off and die. If exposure to children or pets is a con- cern, use d-CON’s lockable “Protected Bait Station,” which secures the poison inside a container that has holes small enough for only a mouseto enter. 2.Traps provide “tangible evidence” that mice have been caught, while d-CON’s unique covered design helps you avoid looking at or coming into contact with a dead rodent. For a free brochure with more information on having a mousefree house, call 1-800-395-3266.
