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Hantavirus Information:How to Prevent it in your Home!

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Hantavirus Information:How to Prevent it in your Home!

How to Prevent Hantavirus in Your Home

Prevention Indoors and Outdoors

INDOORS

  • Storing food in rodent proof containerKeep a clean home, especially kitchen (wash dishes, clean counters and floor, keep food covered in rodent-proof containers).

  • Keep a tight-fitting lid on garbage, discard uneaten pet food at the end of the day.

  • Set and keep spring-loaded rodent traps. Set traps near baseboards because rodents tend to run along walls and in tight spaces rather than out in the open.

  • Set Environmental Protection Agency-approved rodenticide with bait under plywood or plastic shelter along baseboards. These are sometimes known as "covered bait stations." Remember to follow product use instructions carefully, since rodenticides are poisonous to pets and people, too.

  • Seal all entry holes 1/4 inch wide or wider with lath screen or lath metal, cement, wire screening or other patching materials, inside and out.
    Setting spring-loaded rodent trapUsing lath screen to seal potential entry hole

    If bubonic plague is a problem in your area, spray flea killer or spread flea powder in the area before setting traps. This is important. If you control rodents but do not control fleas as well, you may increase the risk of infection with bubonic plague, since fleas will leave rodents once the rodents die and will seek out other food sources, including humans.



    • OUTDOORS
     Garbage can with tight-fitting lid

  • Clear brush, grass and junk from around house foundations to eliminate a source of nesting materials.

  • Use metal flashing around the base of wooden, earthen or adobe homes to provide a strong metal barrier. Install so that the flashing reaches 12 inches above the ground and six inches down into the ground

  • Elevate hay, woodpiles and garbage cans to eliminate possible nesting sites. If possible, locate them 100 feet or more from your house.

  • Trap rodents outside, too. Poisons or rodenticides may be used as well, but be sure to keep them out of the reach of children or pets.

  • Encourage the presence of natural predators, such as non-poisonous snakes, owls and hawks.

  • Remember, getting rid of all rodents isn't feasible, but with ongoing effort you can keep the population very low.
    • For more information on HPS prevention, visit the Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome Spotlight: Seal Up! Trap Up! Clean Up!

    Ways to save money AND help the environment:

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    Protect your health with these:

    Mattress Dust mite-Bedbug protector, 100% Waterproof, Hypoallergenic, Zippereddustmite mattress cover

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    GermGuardian Air Purifier with UV-C Light and HEPA 13 Filter, RGermGuardian HEPA Air Purifier with UV-C Lightemoves 99.97% of Pollutants

    HEPA Air Purifier, HEPA Air Cleaner with Washable Pre-Filter, AQI Display, ECO Mode, Sleep Mode, Pet Mode for Pets, Dust, Pollen, Removes 99.97% of Particles, Smoke, Mold, Pet Dander, Dust, OdorsHEPA Air Purifier

    Interesting Reads:

    THE PREPPER'S CANNING & PRESERVING BIBLE: [13 in 1] Your Path to Food Self-Sufficiency. Canning, Dehydrating, Fermenting, Pickling & More, Plus The Food Preservation Calendar for a Sustainable PantryTHE PREPPER'S CANNING & PRESERVING BIBLE:

    The Backyard Homestead: Produce all the food you need on just a quarter acre! PThe Backyard Homestead Produce all the food you need on just a quarter acreaperback

    The Citizens' Guide to Geologic Hazards: A Guide to Understanding Geologic Hazards Including Asbestos, Radon, Swelling Soils, Earthquakes, Volcanoes

    The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming

    Book: The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History Paperback




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    Eat healthier AND save money: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric 8 QT Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Warmer, Sterilizer, Pot is Stainless SteelInstant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric 8 QT Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer,