If you have ever experienced having a rodent in your home, you know what a frustrating occurrence this can be. You can do everything possible to catch or kill mice and still get nowhere. You can set traps or seal off your home, but mice and rats can still get in and avoid being captured. When this happens, it is easy to get discouraged and simply give up on the whole process. However, we would encourage you to have a bit more perseverance and check out the suggestions below for keeping rodents out of your home.
Replace Your Weatherstripping
Your weatherstripping is the long, rubber material that works as a threshold between windows and doors and their frames. The point of this material is to create an airtight seal between the interior of your home and the outdoors. Regardless of the quality, weatherstripping will wear down over time. When it becomes damaged, the outdoor air can no longer be kept out. Additionally, these small holes are the perfect entry point for mice and rats to enter your home. Rodents can easily feel the heat emitted from your home through these small openings and will sneak beneath the weatherstripping and into your space. If you notice that your weatherstripping is wearing down, you can easily buy new material at your local hardware store.
Make Sure Your Utility Lines Are Sealed
Believe it or not, it only takes an opening the size of a dime for a mouse to squeeze through and make their way into your home. One of the most common places rodents will find small holes this size is around your utility lines. Whether it be your gas, water, or electrical pipes and vents, these all allow a path from the exterior of your home to the interior. Rodents will often follow the smell of water or gas along the pipe until they find an opening, and from there, they have easy entry points.
To determine if you do have openings around your utility lines, walk the perimeter of your home and inspect them carefully. If you find an opening, you can use caulk or steel wool to close it up in no time. Remember, even the tiniest hole can be an access point.
Clean Up Your Yard (When Possible)
Before rodents become attracted to your home, they have to find something enticing about your yard. They can be attracted for any number of reasons, such as enticing food, moisture, or shelter. With this in mind, it’s encouraged to keep your lawn in good shape all year round. Your lawn should be mowed short and you should take care of any weeds that you notice growing. You might also want to consider cutting back on how much you water your grass during the hotter months, as an excess of moisture is sure to attract rodents.
Keep Firewood At Least 10 Feet Away From Your Home
Storing firewood at least 10 feet away from your home is a crucial preventive measure against rodent infestations. This practice reduces potential hiding spots and nesting sites for rodents, minimizing their attraction to your property. By maintaining distance, you obstruct convenient entry points, making it more challenging for rodents to access your living space. This prevents structural damage and limits the risk of contamination of the stored firewood.
Take Out Your Trash
The strength of mouse and rat noses is actually quite incredible. Not only can they smell much better than humans, but they can also deduce certain information from smells. For instance, they can tell where food is located, how much there is, and how easily they can acquire it. All that information can be gathered just by sniffing the air. Incredible, right?
With this in mind, not letting the trash in your home pile up is extremely important. Garbage is the most enticing smell in the world to a mouse or a rat. Don’t give rodents any reason to come investigate your home! Be sure that you are taking out your trash as soon as it is full.
Keep Your House Clean
Maintaining a clean living environment is crucial in preventing rodent infestations. Rodents, attracted by the scent of food, are more likely to infest homes with poor hygiene. Regular cleaning not only deters rodents but also eliminates potential nesting sites.
- Store Food Securely: Keep pet food and human food in airtight containers to prevent rodents from being attracted by the smell.
- Clean Up Spills Promptly: Any spilled food or liquids should be cleaned up promptly to remove potential food sources for rodents.
- Inspect and Clean Hidden Areas: Regularly check and clean areas that are often overlooked, such as behind appliances and under furniture, where rodent activity might be less noticeable.
The Hazards of Rodent Infestations
From mouse droppings to gnaw marks, a rodent infestation poses significant hazards to both property and health. The risks associated with mice droppings and rodent activity include the spread of diseases, contamination of food, and damage to structures.
- Health Risks: Mice droppings can carry harmful bacteria and viruses, leading to potential health issues for inhabitants.
- Contamination of Food: House mice are known for contaminating stored food, rendering it unsafe for consumption.
- Structural Damage: Chewed wires, insulation, and other structural components can result in costly repairs.
The Benefits of Professional Pest Control in Preventing Rodent Infestations
Enlisting the services of a professional rodent control service provides several advantages in preventing and managing rodent infestations.
- Early Detection and Prevention: Professionals can identify signs of rodent activity early, preventing infestations before they become severe.
- Strategic Placement of Mouse Traps: Professionals strategically place mouse traps in areas prone to rodent activity, ensuring effective control.
- Comprehensive Rodent Control Services: Pest control services offer comprehensive solutions, including sealing entry points, removing attractants, and implementing ongoing monitoring.
- Safe and Efficient Removal of Dead Mice: Dealing with a dead mouse is unpleasant and potentially hazardous. Professional services handle such situations safely.
Contact Us for Professional Rodent Control Services
Having rodents in your home is not something you want to deal with for an extended amount of time. When it comes to efficiently and effectively controlling mice or rat infestations and learning strategies for preventing them altogether, you need Earthwise Pest Management. Whether you have a mouse infestation or a rat infestation, we will be happy to take care of the problem for you so that you can feel comfortable in your house. We also offer free quotes, so it’s time you take advantage of one! Call right now and make your home healthier and safer all at once.
