NEW HOME SAFETY COUNCIL STUDY SHOWS AMERICANS UNAWARE OF THE MANY DANGERS OF MICE

Mice Can Spread Disease, Cause Fires

WASHINGTON, DC, September, 2009 – A new study commissioned jointly by the Home Safety Council and Ortho® Home Defense MAX® pest control products shows that most Americans are unaware of a hidden danger that might be lurking in their homes this fall – mice.

According to the survey, more than half of Americans (52 percent) say that while mice are unpleasant, they are relatively harmless creatures. Actually, mice can spread disease and cause asthma symptoms, and have even been known to cause house fires, particularly in homes with older wiring, as mice can chew through the wire's insulation.

"Safe and healthy homes are free of mice and other pests," said Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council. "Mice can be a factor in spreading Lyme disease, Salmonella and typhus, and we now know mice are related to the rise of asthma in children." In fact, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), exposure to mice allergens is a well-recognized risk factor for asthma in inner city children, and researchers are now looking at whether exposure to mice increases asthma risk in children in other settings.

The mouse problem is much bigger than most people think. Only 27 percent of people surveyed said they've personally experienced mice in their homes in the past year. Yet, a recent government study of more than 800 homes found that four out of five (82 percent) had detectable levels of mouse allergen.¹ More than one-third of homes had levels high enough to increase the risk that occupants would develop allergies, potentially leading to asthma. "What this study shows is that even if you don't think you have mice in your home, chances are you do," said Appy.

And fall is the time to be on the lookout for mice, since as the weather turns colder, mice seek shelter in homes. Signs to look for include droppings, and gnaw and grease marks along baseboards. Pets may also act strangely, barking or scratching at walls. According to Appy, if people see any of these signs – or a mouse itself – the key is to act fast. "The average house mouse can have eight litters per year, of four to seven pups per litter, so one mouse can quickly lead to 40 or 50."

Mouse Traps: What People Want
Understanding that mouse infestation is an issue that brings about anxiety, Ortho surveyed consumers to determine their key concerns when it comes to ridding their homes of mice. Not surprisingly, consumers say they want a solution that is easy to use and safe for children and pets, and they don't want to touch or even see the dead mouse.

In response, Ortho developed the Home Defense MAX® Kill & Contain® Mouse Trap. The trap contains no poisons and is baited with food, and is safe to use around children and pets because it won't snap fingers or paws. Its new design encloses mice in a self-contained unit, shutting the entry way behind the mouse and killing it. A one-touch, easy-to-set lever on the side of the trap shows users when a mouse has been caught. The entire trap then gets thrown away, so users don't have to touch or see the mouse inside. For more information on controlling mice and preventing infestation this fall, visit www.orthohomedefense.com. For additional tips on maintaining a safe and healthy home, visit www.homesafetycouncil.org.

¹National Institute of Environmental Health Science: Exposure to multiple indoor allergens in US homes and its relationship to asthma, March 2008.

About Ortho®
Ortho® has a full line of products to help consumers control bugs, weeds, and now rodents in their homes and yards. The brand includes popular products like Home Defense Max®, Bug B Gon® Max™ and Weed B Gon®. Ortho®. Defend What's Yours™. For more information about Ortho products, visit www.ortho.com.

About ScottsMiracle-Gro
With nearly $3 billion in worldwide sales and more than 6,000 associates, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Scotts Company LLC, is the world's largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care, with products for professional horticulture as well. The Company's brands are the most recognized in the industry. In the U.S., the Company's Scotts®, Miracle-Gro®, and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories, as is the consumer Roundup® brand, which is marketed in North America and most of Europe exclusively by Scotts and owned by Monsanto. In the U.S. the Company operates Scotts LawnService®, the second largest residential lawn care service business. In Europe, the Company's brands include Weedol®, Pathclear®, Evergreen®, Levington®, Miracle-Gro®, KB®, Fertiligene® and Substral®. For additional information, visit us at www.scotts.com.

About the Home Safety Council
The Home Safety Council (HSC) is the only national nonprofit organization solely dedicated to preventing home-related injuries that result in nearly 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits on average each year. Through national programs, partnerships and the support of volunteers, HSC educates people of all ages to be safer in and around their homes. The Home Safety Council is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization headquartered in Washington, DC.