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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Two Crescent City men arrested after alleged armed robbery, car chase ... (No heading) ... Water rates may rise 13 percent per year ... Two Crescent City men arrested after alleged armed robbery, car chase ... (No heading) ... Water rates may rise 13 percent per year ... Home Help: How to keep your house pest-free this winter Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 19, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Jan. 19, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News TIP OF THE WEEK Though catching mice has been a popular theme in games and cartoons for decades, preventing rodent invasions is not child's play. Even the most fastidious homeowners can fall victim to a pest invader at some point. Research by the National Pest Management Association reveals that invasive rodents have broken into 29 percent of U.S. homes, bringing with them a slew of health and property hazards. Forty-five percent of those homeowners said the infestation occurred in the fall and winter months. The NPMA offers these tips to help homeowners keep rodents rummaging out in nature and out of the kitchen pantry: 1. Investigate your home from the outside. As mice can enter through an opening as small as a dime, seal all holes and replace loose mortar and weather stripping. Use steel wool to close gaps. 2. Store firewood at least 20 feet from your home and at least 5 feet off the ground. 3. Screen attic vents and openings to chimneys, which could allow unwanted guests into your home. 4. Landscape with pests in mind by trimming back shrubbery and tree branches, which could provide pathways into the home. 5. Use proper storage in the kitchen, basements and attics to prevent rodents from having easy access to food and nesting in cupboards and boxes. — Brandpoint HOME-SELLING TIP Choosing the right contractor: Start by gathering information on your referrals and local prospects by visiting their websites and making phone calls. Make sure these remodeling contractors have the required licenses, liability insurance and ability to obtain local permits for your project. The Better Business Bureau also issues warnings about those who might not be trustworthy. — Brandpoint DECORATING TIP Brighten your outlook: If there’s one easy change to make in a home, make it the lighting. Maybe it’s a pair of vintage lamps from a local flea market on the console that just pull a room together. Or perhaps it’s a pair of statement sconces in the bedroom, or a pendant light in the entryway. When it comes to design tricks, lighting is one of them. It can change the whole feel of the room in an instant. — Brandpoint GARDEN GUIDE Keep out: Having issues with critters crawling all over your garden? One option is a spray fence, a liquid that is applied around the perimeter of your garden that repels animals like deer and rabbits. These sprays are earth-friendly and non-toxic, and typically last for 30 days before you need to spray down a new application. — More Content Now MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 19, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501