Rodents can cause property damage and pose health risks from the diseases they carry, such as plague, tularemia, and hantavirus. Placing preventative measures to avoid rodents, like rats and mice, is crucial to keeping a healthy environment for your family. Let’s explore some practical and easy do-it-yourself tips to keep your home rodent-free.
Tips For A Rodent-Free Home
Seal Entry Points
Rodents can squeeze through surprisingly small openings. Inspect your home for any gaps or cracks, especially around windows, doors, utility pipes, vents, chimney openings, roof, and foundation. If you notice any entry points, use caulk, steel wool, or metal mesh to seal them. Likewise, ensure your doors and windows are closed tightly and install weather stripping if needed.
Tidy Your Home
Rats and mice are attracted to food and clutter. So, maintaining a clean home can help deter them. Look to store food in airtight containers. After each meal, clean up any crumbs or spills as soon as possible. Take out the trash regularly and use sealed garbage cans. If you have a pet, make sure to bring in your pet food overnight, storing it in a plastic container with a lid. Remove any clutter, like old newspapers, magazines, and cardboard boxes.
Maintain Your Yard
Keeping a well-maintained yard will help efforts to avoid rodent activity on your property. Continue mowing your lawn on a regular basis and trim any overgrown vegetation. If you have a fruit tree, make sure to remove any fallen or rotten fruit. Likewise, always keep your outside compost bins secure. If you store lumber or firewood in your yard, store it at least 20 feet from your home and elevate it off the ground.
Conduct Regular Inspections
One of the best ways to ensure you don’t end up having a full-blown rodent infestation is by regularly inspecting your home yourself. Look for rodent signs, such as droppings, chew marks on furniture or wires, nests made of shredded paper or fabric, and unusual noises in walls or ceilings.
If you notice rodent signs or would like to get ahead of rodent prevention, it’s best to call a local rodent control company near you. These professionals have the expertise and tools to eliminate rodents and provide you with the best prevention plan to prevent future infestations and keep your home rodent-free.
