THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 3, 1996 TAG: 9611010086
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ROBERT STIFFLER
LENGTH: 68 lines
AS COLD WEATHER moves in, so do the mice and rats. And when they get in your house or garage, it's a good idea to get rid of them.
Mice are known carriers of more than 40 diseases, including leptospirosis, salmonella, trichinosis, Lyme disease and the deadly hantavirus. As of Aug. 7, 143 cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome have been identified in 25 states. The illness was fatal in 50.7 percent of cases.
The fear of mice is the third most common fear among Americans, right behind fear of public-speaking and fear of going to the dentist. And the facts on rodents reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta are frightening.
A pair of mice can produce 15,000 descendants in one year. They are the rabbits of the rodent world. In just six months, one pair of mice can deposit as many as 18,000 droppings. An estimated 23 million homes are invaded by rodents each year.
Don't bother standing on a chair to escape a mouse. The mouse is a good climber, can leap 12 inches vertically and can jump from a height of 12 feet without injury. Mice can squeeze through spaces as small as a nickel.
Rats, the bigger cousins to mice, can bear eight to 12 offspring as frequently as every three weeks. They can swim up to half a mile and tread water for up to three days. Rats are good climbers, can leap 36 inches vertically and jump down from a height of 50 feet without serious injury. Rats can squeeze through spaces as small as a half dollar.
Five percent of all fires of ``undetermined origin'' are believed to be caused by rats that have gnawed through electrical wiring.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports destroying about 400,000 tons of food yearly that is contaminated by rodent droppings.
One way to remember each year that it's time to de-mouse the house is to do it when you change the clocks to end daylight-saving time the last Sunday in October.
Before you air out, seal up, clean up and trap in areas where you suspect rodents, put on a mask and rubber gloves, open doors and windows and air out for one to three hours. Then seal up cracks and holes and put out traps and bait.
To clean up, wear rubber gloves and a mask. Wet down droppings or nesting materials with disinfectant before cleaning and dispose of the mess in double sealed plastic bags. Throw the gloves away.
To prevent mice and rats from coming into your house, follow these tips from d-CON:
Seal up potential entrances to your home, using sheet metal, steel wool or concrete. Seal up any holes larger than one-quarter inch in diameter.
Remove items that are potential nesting sites. These include stacks of newspapers and cardboard boxes.
Keep food, water and garbage in metal or thick plastic containers with tight fitting lids. Never leave food or water out overnight.
Wash dishes and cooking utensils and clean spilled food from counters and floors immediately. Dispose of any trash or clutter.
Use rodenticides. Keep a supply of baits and traps, such as those made by d-Con, and use them.
Use baits in low-traffic areas such as attics, garages and basements. Baits are ideal to avoid contact with rodents. Check baits every few days to replace what was consumed and discard any that are wet, dirty or contaminated.
Use traps in higher traffic areas such as kitchens, family rooms, etc. Check traps frequently because captured mice need to be disposed of and traps replaced or rebaited.
Always keep baits and traps away from children and pets. Traps and bait can be found at most hardware and home centers.
The makers of d-CON offer a free brochure on controlling and preventing rodent infestation. To get a copy, send a self-addressed envelope to d-CON Consumer Brochure, P.O. Box 8737, Young America, Minn. 55551. by CNB