Orkin's Five Tips to Rodent-Proof Your Home

Keep these in mind to help prevent rodents from coming in

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Nov 02, 2012, 03:37 ET

ATLANTA, Nov. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As the cool temperatures start to settle in for the next few months, Orkin, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rollins Inc. (NYSE: ROL), advises homeowners to pest-proof their homes, garages and sheds now, because fall is when most insect and rodent pests seek shelter for the winter months.

"With temperatures recently dropping into the 40s, rodents and other pests tend to move inside structures this time of year to find a warm place to overwinter and breed," said Jim Warneke, Orkin's Southeast division technical services director. "Plus, several of our coastal communities got hit with heavy rain and wind from Hurricane Sandy, and severe weather can cause rodents to become displaced and look for dry places."

A pregnant female mouse can produce an average of eight pups in a litter, and a rat, seven pups on average, and there are typically four to five litters per year. Their gestation period is about a month, so before you know it, one mouse can turn into a major problem for homeowners.

Mice can fit through an opening the size of a dime, so it is important to fix any cracks in and under siding, doors and windows. In addition to warmth, rodents enter homes looking for food and water. They prefer cereals and grains, but will eat just about anything.

As you prepare your home for winter, Orkin recommends the five following tips:

Make sure all holes, gaps and cracks larger than 1/4 of an inch are sealed.
Replace door sweeps and make sure doors and windows close tightly.
Clean out gutters and install gutter guards to prevent leaves and debris from accumulating.
Store firewood as far from the home as possible.
Trim branches, plants and bushes that hang over the home.

About Orkin, LLC
Founded in 1901, Atlanta-based Orkin is an industry leader in essential pest control services and protection against termite damage, rodents and insects in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, Central America, the Middle East, the Caribbean, Asia, the Mediterranean and Africa. With more than 400 locations, Orkin's almost 8,000 employees serve approximately 1.7 million customers. The company serves homeowners and numerous industries, including food and beverage processing, foodservice, hospitality, healthcare, retail, warehousing, property/facilities management, schools and institutions. Orkin is proud to be recognized by the National Pest Management Association as a QualityPro and GreenPro-certified company, addressing not only our customer's pest control needs, but also their concern for protecting the environment. Learn more about Orkin at http://orkin.com. Orkin is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rollins Inc. (NYSE: ROL).