Gee se PestContro! Oh Rats!—And How To (NAPSA)—No one wants to think about—let alone admit— when they have a rodent problem in their home. Just the thoughtof rats, mice, termites or ants crawl- ing through a kitchen or across a basement floor is enough to give even the most resilient homeownera caseof the creeps! In addition to being unwelcome houseguests, rats and mice are known carriers of several deadly diseases and have even been linked to childhood asthma, which is aggravated by the presence of rodent dander and feces. National home improvement expert, Mr. Fix-It Lou Manfredini, recommends that consumers be proactive with their rodent prevention efforts in order to help curtail these unwanted guests and the diseases they maycarry. “The keys to rodent control and elimination are early detection and prompt action,” explains Manfredini. “Even the cleanest, nicest and newest homes can experience a rodent problem,so it is important to take the precau- tions necessary to preventing an infestation.” Studies have shown that directly or indirectly, rodents can be the carriers of numerous diseases, including: Hantavirus, an often-fatal infection of the lungs, can be found in fresh or dried droppings, urine and saliva left by infected rodents. Salmonella, commonly known as “food poisoning,” is caused by ingesting food contaminated with salmonella bacteria sometimes carried by rodentfeces. Bubonic plague is caused by the rare Yersinia bacteria that can infect humans through the bite of rat fleas. Trichinosis is caused by the infestation of muscle tissue by trichinae, an intestinal parasite that humans contract most often from undercooked pork. It can also be spread by rodents. To help keep your homerodentfree, Mr. Fix-It Lou Manfredini recommends that homeowners take the following precautions: Wash all dishes immediately after use. Keep counters, floors, cabi- nets and pantries clean andfree of crumbs. Get help from the Experts in Rodent Control and set d-CON Rodenticides baits and traps close to walls and in dark corners, such as behind the stove, refrigerator, washer and dryer. Keep bushes, plants and hedges trimmed back away from your home’s foundation. Seal up potential entrances for rats and mice, using sheet metal, steel wool or cement. For a free brochure and more information on how to eliminate a rodent infestation, you can call 1-800-395-3266.
