Apr 2, 2014 | Uncategorized
It seems there’s a day/month of recognition for just about anything these days. January is Artichoke and Asparagus Month, June is International Surf Music Month, and we can’t forget about September being Be Kind to Editors & Writers Month. There really seems to be a month for everything. However, we may be partial, but we think that April is a very special month! It’s National Pest Management Month!
Source: NPMA
National Pest Management Month is a time to celebrate your pest professionals who protect homes and businesses from pest threats! According to Miss Henriksen, NPMA’s VP of public affairs, “During National Pest Management Month, we shine the light on the importance of professional pest management in consumers’ everyday lives.”
Joining NPMA on a media tour is renowned home improvement expert Bob Vila. NPMA and Bob Vila want to remind homeowners of the importance of keeping a pest free home and the ways you can thwart off pest invaders this spring and summer.
In recognition of National Pest Management Month, Bob Vila and NPMA offer the following tips to pest proof your home:
Exclusion
- Seal any cracks on the outside of the home with a silicone-based caulk, including entry points for utilities and pipes;
- Replace weather-stripping and repair loose mortar around the foundation and windows.
Prevention
- Eliminate sources of standing water around the house, including birdbaths and in clogged gutters.
- Ensure basements, attics, and crawl spaces are well ventilated and dry.
- Clean out gutters and install gutter guards.
Elimination
So what are you waiting on…hug your pest professional today!! Or you can just say thank you!
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Jan 17, 2014 | Uncategorized
Winter Weather Forces Rodents and Other Pests Indoors
Raccoon
Last week we saw cold weather and snow blanket much of the country. In cold conditions homeowners aren’t the only ones seeking shelter indoors. Northwest Exterminating warns that rodents and wildlife are also looking for a warm place, like our homes, to escape the winter chill. Unfortunately, these small pests can cause more than just a headache for homeowners if they gain entrance inside.
Rodents can contaminate food sources and serve as vectors of many diseases, such as salmonella and the potentially fatal Hantavirus. Moreover, mice and rats can cause serious structural damage by chewing through insulation, walls, wood, and electrical wiring.
It’s much easier to prevent an infestation than to get rid of pests after they’ve found a cozy retreat inside the home. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) recommends the following tips to keep homes rodent-free this winter:
- Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the home, including areas where utilities and pipes enter, using caulk, steel wool or a combination of both.
- Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows.
- Screen vents and openings to chimneys.
- Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly.
- Inspect items such as boxes, grocery bags and other packages brought into the home.
Northwest Exterminating advises homeowners to also be on the lookout for signs of an infestation. If you find rodent feces or hear sounds of scurrying in the walls or attic, contact a licensed pest professional, like Northwest Exterminating, to inspect your home for rodents.
For more information, visit https://www.callnorthwest.com/wildlife-control/.
Jan 15, 2014 | Uncategorized
America’s Rodent Problem
According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), 45 % of rodent infestations occur in fall and winter. This is one of the reasons that many of our recent blogs have been about colder weather bringing rodents and wildlife into homes (Tips on Keeping Rodents Away After Removal) . Below is an informative infographic that gives more information into America’s Rodent Problem.
SOURCE: NPMA
Sep 27, 2013 | Uncategorized
With cooler weather you may begin to see more pests coming into your home. Pests and rodents are looking for a warm place with food and shelter and homes and businesses are prime real estate for them. We often talk about the health risks and the nuisances that unwelcomed pests bring into a home.
The NPMA recommends the following steps to keep your home pest free this fall:
- Screen attic vents and openings to chimneys.
- Eliminate moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains.
- Seal cracks and crevices on the outside of the home using caulk and steel wool. Pay close attention where utility pipes enter the structure.
- Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles.
- Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows.
- Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house; keep shrubbery well trimmed.
- Install door sweeps and repair damaged screens.
- Inspect items such as boxes of decorations and grocery bags before bringing them indoors.
For pest protection for your home or business call Northwest Exterminating.
Source: NPMA – Fall Pest-Proofing Helps Keep Pests Outdoors
Aug 28, 2013 | Uncategorized
PestWorld.org and The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America have teamed up for a public service announcement to warn homeowner’s of the dangers of allergens in the home caused by pests and rodents. Common household pests such as cockroaches and mice are responsible for inciting allergies and aggravating asthma. In fact, 63% of homes contain cockroach allergens. That number increases to 78%-98% in urban areas. 82% of homes have asthma triggers spread by mice.
Watch NPMA’s public service announcement below:
Keep your family (children are especially at risk) and home safe by keeping your home pest free, call Northwest Exterminating. For more information visit pestworld.org or The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
The NPMA will donate $1 to The AAFA for each new Facebook LIKE (HERE) until Sept, 15th. Go LIKE them…and LIKE Northwest Exterminating (HERE) while you’re there!
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