Even though rats and mice can come into your home all year, winter is the worst season for this kind of infestation. When the temperatures get cold, and the food sources are low, rodents think they can cuddle up with humans. They seem not to realize that their presence is not wanted. Once they come in and set up camp, you will have a more difficult time getting rid of them, so you should be proactive to prevent them from getting in, to begin with. Below are some tips that will help you avoid these unwelcome critters during the winter.
Carefully Store Food
Everyone does it; you get tired and head to bed before putting away the leftovers from supper. Or you start the dishwasher and then discover a missed plate of food on the counter. Rats and mice think this is heaven, as well as water and food bowls for your pets that should also be picked up before going to bed. Rodents seem able to smell leftovers for miles. Additionally, if you store food in air-tight containers inside your pantry, you will make them less attractive to rodents.
Take the Trash Out
The trash can is another place that rodents love. When the weather is cold, most people hate to go outside to take the trash out. But doing this will also help you keep rats and mice out of your home. Take the garbage out every night prior to going to bed and keep the outside trash container away from your home. Keeping the trash in an airtight container is best as the fewer goodies that are around as temptations for rodents, the fewer rodents you will have.
Get Rid of Entry Points
Many people overlook entry points. Even though you can not live inside an airtight bubble, there is a lot to do to eliminate entry points for rodents. Check the floors and walls around dryer vents and utility pipes for openings that will allow access to rodents. Other ways rodents can gain entry is through a crawl space or attic. Remember that rats and mice can fit through the smallest of spaces; holes you can not even get a coin through can provide access to your home for a rat or mouse. Get some steel wool to put inside these holes, and it is a cheap and effective way to keep rodents out of the house.
Remove any Rodents that Come in.
You have several ways to get rid of these intruders if they get into your home. A traditional method to rid your home of rodents is with poison, but this can be problematic, especially if there are pets in your home, as these poisons can harm your pet. Additionally, if rats and mice eat the poison, they are likely to crawl into the walls or between the floors and die, leaving an unpleasant odor and a nasty mess to clean up. Sticky traps or glue traps are great ways to hold onto the rodent until you can release it outside, but you will have to interact with it until you can release it. Or you can get other traps that let you remove the rodent out.
The best thing you can do is have a pest control professional come to your home on a regular basis. These experts can identify any potential infestations or issues. Call today and make an appointment so we can inspect your home and make sure you do not have any rodent issues during the winter, and take action to rid your home of these pests. Let us help you prevent rodents from gaining entry into your home so you will be able to enjoy your winter cuddle up with your loved ones, a good book, and the fireplace.