It’s possible that your home could be at the root of your allergies and even asthma symptoms, especially if you have a rodent infestation. Being exposed to rodents can trigger asthma attacks and according to the National Center for Healthy Housing, there is a direct link between rodents and allergy and asthma symptoms. Rodents and allergies seem to go hand in hand, so read on to find out some important information you may not be aware of.

Health Impacts

Once thought to be strictly an inner city issue, mice and rats are now common outside of urban areas. More startling yet, is the fact that 82% of homes have been found to have rodent allergens. Exposure to allergens comes through the vermin’s urine, skin or saliva and it can cause such diseases as the Hantavirus.

In the Home

Kitchen floors contain the highest concentration of allergens of all the places in the home. Often other magnets for mice or rats include bedding and the bedroom floor, while living room couches and chairs contained the lowest level of allergens.

Just because you don’t physically see a mouse or rat in your home doesn’t mean anything. These vermin can be in your home living in the walls and you might not ever actually see them out running around. In general, if your home has many cracks and crevices, rodents can get in and produce allergens. (more…)

Unfortunately, we are in the season of cold weather and all the misery it brings. Gone are the beautiful days of summer weather, sunshine and flip-flops. As a homeowner, you’ve probably already started the process of winterizing your home to become prepared for the gusty winds, cold and maybe even ice or snow.

But, have you taken precautions to prevent rodents from taking up residence in your comfy, warm abode? If not, read on to find out how.

Nobody likes the thought of a rodent scurrying across their kitchen floor, so taking extra steps now to prepare for keeping rodents out of your home is the best solution. A good place to start is to replace worn weather-stripping.

It’s important to repair any soft areas on the windowsills and frames because rats and mice can use these points for entering your home. Also, take care to make sure your screens fit tightly and patch up any tears quickly.

Up on the Rooftop

Many homeowners fail to pay attention to their roof other than to check for loose shingles or spots that may need repair. Did you ever stop to think about bats, raccoons and squirrels?

You can deter these critters from crawling into your attic by closing up any gaps in the eaves and flashing joints. Trimming back trees will also reduce access for squirrels. (more…)

When it comes to crops and pests, we usually think of the six-legged variety. Most pesticides (both chemical and organic) are made with insects and plant-killing bacteria in mind. However, these aren’t the only pests that affect crops in Acadiana and the rest of Louisiana.

With southern Louisiana’s warm, humid climate, rodents and some reptiles can live outside all year round. Rats, mice, and snakes are especially attracted to areas like sugarcane fields because these crops will often be habitats to a number of insects and smaller reptiles that make up their food sources.

mouse

In this southern region of Louisiana, it’s not uncommon to see fields of sugarcane bordering residential neighborhoods. If you live in the Acadiana region, your home is likely not too far away from a habitat that’s rich with creatures that you don’t want to get too close to. (more…)

In most instances, you will often notice the evidence of having a rodent problem in your home or office before you actually ever see one. And while your first inclination may be to reach for the strongest rat or mouse pellets you can find, you might want to rethink that strategy. Rodenticides will most likely kill a few of the rodents infesting your home, but they may not kill them all.

Having rodents present in your home poses health risks to everyone in the home. Their droppings can trigger allergic reactions and asthma. The parasites that they carry can transmit disease like the bubonic plague to members of your family. And, they can track a variety of bacteria, germs, and parasites onto your food stores and dishes for you to ingest.

Fortunately there are ways to eliminate existing infestations and discourage future infestations while minimizing the use of harsh and dangerous chemicals. Integrated pest management plans can not only address your rodent concerns, but can also provide benefits for the environment as well. (more…)

A rodent infestation can have effects that harm not only a person’s home but also their belongings and their health. It is important to handle this type of situation quickly and properly in order to eliminate the rodents from your home in Acadiana and decrease the risk of disease or bites. A professional rodent exterminator can properly take care of an issue like this in expert fashion and rid your home from these unwanted visitors. Some of the effects of a rodent infestation are quite severe and serious and should never be taken lightly.

Bites

A rodent residing in an Acadiana home can mean the residents are at risk for getting bitten. While it’s not overly common for a rodent to simply walk up to a human and bite them it can still happen during the night or if you are trying to trap the rodent on your own, without the help of a professional. It’s important never to handle a rodent on your own as a rodent can carry a number of diseases such as salmonella, rabies and meningitis. In total, rodents have been known to carry 34 different diseases according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (more…)