As Rodent Activity Escalates Due To COVID-19 Shelter-In-Place Efforts, Experts Agree Exclusion Offers Best Protection For Homes And Businesses

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill., May 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As desperate rodents seek food and shelter beyond their pre-pandemic sources, experts caution that waiting to address a rodent infestation until it's inside the walls is too late. Exclusion - the industry term for creating physical barriers against rodents to prevent them from entering a home or building - is safer, greener and more effective than attempting to remove them once inside. Xcluder is the world's leader in rodent exclusion and manufactures the only rodent-proofing product on the market tested and proven effective by the USDA/APHIS lab. Rodents have been known to gnaw through window screens, wood, fiberglass, plastic, drywall and even concrete in pursuit of food and shelter. They also carry diseases and contaminate every surface they touch. They are not a threat to be taken lightly.

With cities nationwide reporting increased rodent sightings due to restaurant closures and shelter-in-place efforts, exclusion is more critical than ever. "By the time a rodent infestation is detected, it's likely the damage is already significant," says Dave Colbert, vice president of sales for Xcluder. "Their gnawing and burrowing habits, constant shedding, defecating and urinating, along with an aggressive reproductive rate, mean even a small colony of rodents quickly presents a very big problem."

Whether working with a local, accredited pest professional or undertaking an exclusion DIY project, Xcluder suggests the following tips to effectively keep rodents out:

• Search the foundation for cracks, gaps or holes - a mouse can fit into a space the size of a dime, and a rat into one the size of a quarter.
• Check all doors, door frames, and garage doors to ensure there is a tight seal. Damaged or missing door sweeps are one of the most common rodent entry points.
• Ensure all windows, screens and window panes, including window wells, are in good repair.
• Carefully check all openings where plumbing, gas and electric or cable wiring enters the home or building. Dryer vents and exhaust vents are also popular targets. Remember that entry points near the ground aren't the only ones at risk - most rodents have no difficulty scaling siding, wires, or branches.
• Be sure to inspect the roof line for any gaps. Ensure that shingles, ventilators, chimney and vent screens are all in place and undamaged. Make sure the chimney cap is secure as well.
• Place all garbage in heavy-duty cans and store away from the home or building, if possible.

Matt Frye, Community IPM Extension Educator for the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program of Cornell University, further emphasizes the importance of exclusion. He notes, "As new tools and techniques become available to pest management professionals, one concept remains essential: exclusion. Whereas baiting and trapping reduce the number of pests inside a building, effective exclusion keeps them out. Therefore, exclusion is the only method that can prevent exposure to pests, their pathogens, food contamination, and structural damage."

The use of proper exclusion tools is also critical to effectiveness. Caulk, mortar and spray foam products offer little to no protection against the gnawing power of rodents. Steel wool faces rusting and decomposition over time and therefore requires regular replacement. Standard rubber door sweeps won't last the night against a determined rodent. Proper rodent-proofing tools, such as Xcluder Rodent-Proof Fill Fabric and specialized Rodent-Proof Door Sweeps, offer permanent protection against rodents and the accompanying peace of mind.

Xcluder is made in America and is safe to use around people, animals, plants and food and contains no harsh chemicals. More information about Xcluder's innovative line of rodent-proofing products is available at www.buyxcluder.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kristin Zanini  
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SOURCE Xcluder

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