Spooky Pests Give Homeowners a Scare This Fall

FAIRFAX, Va. (October 25, 2011) – When October rolls around, everyone enjoys a good scare when trick or treating or celebrating at a Halloween party. When that scare comes from an unexpected sighting of spooky pests like bats, spiders, and mice, the fright is a lot less fun! The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) offers a guide to some of the more popular creepy pests.

"We all love decorating with plastic and faux spiders, mice and bats during this time of year," says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for NPMA. "What we don't love is finding these living, breathing pests in unexpected places around our homes."

Bats: Bat sightings often elicit screams from unsuspecting homeowners who find them in structures like garages and attics. Even worse, their droppings pose a health concern as they contain fungi that can cause lung infections. If homeowners encounter a bat, they should contact a licensed pest professional to remove the bat in order to comply with the laws that most states have in place to protect them.

Spiders: While most spiders are simply an annoyance, there are some that pose a real risk to humans. The brown recluse and the black widow tend to bite when threatened, and those bites can be painful, cause allergic reactions, and be fatal to small children. To avoid a spider scare, store clothing and shoes inside plastic containers and shake out all clothing before wearing or washing.

Mice: A common pest, mice may be spotted frequently but that doesn't make them any less creepy or dangerous. Mice pose a variety of health risks like allergies in children, and often serve as carriers for other pests like fleas and ticks. To prevent mice from entering the home, seal all holes larger than a pencil point and any cracks and voids.   

If you suspect a pest infestation, contact a licensed pest professional to inspect, identify and treat the problem.

For more information or to find a pest professional visit: www.pestworld.org.

The NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 7,000 members, was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry's commitment to the protection of public health, food and property.

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