Braman Termite and Pest Elimination, a leading provider of pest management services in southern New England since 1890, encourages the public to be vigilant against rodents that seek shelter from the elements in homes during the National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA) ‘Rodent Awareness Week,’ Nov. 15-21. Braman Termite and Elimination takes part in the annual observance by educating homeowners about the various threats of rodents, the possible signs of an infestation and ways to prevent it.
“Although they may seem small, rodents can pose a big threat to both our homes and our health,” said Jerry Lazarus, third-generation owner of Braman Termite and Pest Elimination. “As the temperatures drop, rodents will enter homes to nest in materials such as insulation, plus they can chew through drywall or electrical wiring, increasing the risk of a potential fire. Their presence can also directly affect public health; for example, by contaminating food with droppings and urine.”
There are a number of signs that rodents may be present in a home:

• Droppings: Typically found in kitchen cabinets and pantries, along walls being used as runways, or in boxes, bags and old furniture.
• Noises: That scurrying sound – especially at night – may be a rodent moving about.
• Gnaw marks: Rodents need to gnaw to wear down front teeth that never stop growing. New gnaw marks are rough to the touch and light-colored.
• Burrows: Rodents are drawn to areas that are dark and secluded and often nest in materials such as insulation or shredded paper and boxes.
• Damaged food packages: The preferred food of house mice is seeds and cereals, but they often chew their way into a loaf of bread; in fact, mice will nibble on almost anything available.

To prevent an infestation, Lazarus suggests sealing cracks and crevices on the outside of your home, keeping exterior doors (including garage doors) closed, and using weather stripping or door sweeps to prevent rodents from gnawing and entering underneath.
“Now is the time for homeowners to thoroughly inspect their property to reduce the risk of an infestation,” said Lazarus. “Mice only need an opening the size of a dime to find a way inside a home, so it’s important to seal even the smallest opening. If you think you already have a rodent problem, contact a licensed pest professional like Braman Termite and Pest Elimination to effectively eliminate the infestation.”
For information about Braman Termite and Pest Elimination, please visit BramanPest.com. 
About Braman Termite and Pest Elimination
Braman Termite and Pest Elimination, a family-owned and-operated business, has been serving residential and commercial customers across southern New England since 1890. A number of the staff have degrees in entomology or biology, and all technicians are licensed, certified and insured. Our wide range of services include inspection, pest identification and consultation; integrated pest management programs (IPM); one-time treatments and preventive programs; ASI, AIB, USDA, SQF, NOP and FDA mandated programs; LEED^® compliant programs; bird management; termite elimination; mosquito control; industrial weed control; and fly control and bioremediation. Braman is a member of the National, New England and Connecticut Pest Management Associations and recipient of the coveted NPMA QualityPro and GreenPro designations. For more information, call Braman at 800-338-6757 or visit us at BramanPest.com.