Top Five Fall Rodent-Proofing Tips from Orkin

Act now to help prevent rodents and other pests from entering your home

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Nov 02, 2012, 03:33 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 now, because fall is when most insect and rodent pests seek shelter for the winter months.

"With the recent cool weather, rodents and other pests tend to move inside around this time of year to find a warm place for the winter and breed," said Dr. Tom Zorka, Orkin's Midwest division technical services director. "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 one mouse can turn into a major problem very quickly for homeowners."

Mice can fit through an opening smaller than 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. However, rodents aren't just a nuisance—they can also pose health threats.

"With the recent increase in the number of vector borne diseases caused by Hantavirus and Bubonic plague in rural parts of the western states, you need to be proactive in protecting your home this winter against mice and rats," said Zorka. "Rodent activity is higher there this year."

Hantavirus is carried in rodent urine and feces, and people can breathe in the affected particles through the air. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the plague is most often transmitted by fleas. When an infected rodent dies from the plague and the fleas from that can carry the bacteria when they bite people or pets.

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

Make sure all holes, gaps and cracks larger than ¼ 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).