Rats and mice have a reputation for being troublesome pests, and for a good reason. They bring in dirt, disease and can do costly damage to your home. So how do you keep them out? Check out these four tips to help prevent rodents from entering your home! Check out this site for more information on rodent infestations.
1. Get rid of food and water sources
One of the main reasons rodents will infest your home is food. It is much easier to prevent rodents from getting into your food, than try to get them out once they have entered. Be vigilant about looking for any exposed sources of food that might attract these pests. Trashcans, pet food, grills and shrubs are some of the things that should be taken care of. It is crucial to take care of food sources in your yard as well. Keeping pests as far away from your home as possible is ideal.
Seal your trashcans indoors and outdoors to avoid the smell of discarded food from attracting these pests. Keep your pet food indoors, and be sure to clean and empty their dishes regularly. Lock up your grill and clean it after each use. If you have a garden with fruits or vegetables growing, be sure to quickly harvest them when they are ripe. Rotting fruit or vegetables on the ground will promptly attract pests. Keep your birdfeeder far from your house. You should also keep all the food inside your home sealed up tightly, especially in dark places like a pantry or cupboard. Be sure your children don’t keep any snacks or dishes in their room.
2. Block entry points
Rodents can enter a home through a hole as small as 1. Be sure to check your foundation, window sills and door sills for small holes. If you find any and close them up quickly. You can use a metal sheet or copper mesh for temporary solutions, but it is advised to get them professionally sealed.
Some other things you should also keep an eye out for are any holes or cracks around pipes entering your home, roof damage or cracks, and finally, gaps between the bottom of any doors and the bottom of your garage door.
3. Inspect habitable space
Rodents prefer to live in small, cozy places. The darker and more claustrophobic, the better. Most of your home is probably made up of big, open areas with sunlight shining through. Luckily this narrows down the places that rats and mice will want to call home.
Places you should inspect are basements, pantries, closets that aren’t used often and attics. Make sure these places are clean, dusted, and uncluttered. Maintaining your garden and yard is also important. Overgrown grass and bushes give rodents a place to hide, and untrimmed trees act as a functional entryway into your home if they grow too close to your home.
Now What?
If you followed the steps above and got rid of any easy-to-reach food, blocked any cracks or holes, and often inspect anywhere they might call home, you should be set. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy your rodent-proof home.
If you think you have any questions or believe you may have a rodent infestation, visit Wildlife Animal & Pest Removal for help.
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