Rodents invade millions of homes each winter. Understanding how they get inside can help you take some steps to keep them out. Rodent infestations put homeowners and property at risk.
Without proper prevention, your home could be susceptible to a rodent infestation. Although rodents are small in size, mice and rats can cause big problems. Rodents carry diseases like salmonella. They also trigger allergic reactions and asthma.
At The Bug Stops Here, we suggest you begin your prevention tactics outside the home and then work your way to the inside. It only takes one rodent to cross the threshold of your home to lead to a full on invasion. With that in mind, below are a list of ways to mitigate a possible rodent problem this winter.
7 WAYS TO STOP A RODENT INFESTATION IN YOUR HOME
1. SEAL ANY OPENINGS OR CRACKS
You may not see a mouse or rat in your home unless you have a severe infestation. These pests are very good at getting through the smallest of cracks or crevices to invade your home. A homeowner can stop invasions by patching. Caulking or plugging small holes with steel wool. Don’t forget to seal around any utilities or pipes that enter the home.
2. INSTALL DOOR SWEEPS
A door sweep seals gaps between the bottom of the door and the threshold. A mice can squeeze through any gap the size of a dime. There are residential pest control door sweeps available that are filled with rodent proof fabric (stainless steel wool blend) that creates sturdy barriers that cannot be gnawed on by rodents.
3. SCREEN VENTS AND CHIMNEYS
Rodents are very resourceful and find any opportunity to get into a warm location. Making sure to properly screen any vents or chimneys. It does not cost much and cuts off one of a rodent’s main source of access to your home.
4. CLEAN UP YOUR PROPERTY
Remove debris, such as mulch or leaf piles. Clear out any unused junk or rotting wood. Store firewood at least twenty feet away from the foundation. The less possible nesting sites you have around your property, the better!
5. REMOVE FOOD AND WATER SOURCES
Keep your property clean and free of food or water sources by cleaning and securing all garbage containers. Regularly turn any compost piles to cover newly added food scraps. Remove any pots or water collection sources.
6. STOP FEEDING OUTDOOR BIRDS
While you are trying to control active infestations, consider taking a hiatus on feeding the local wildlife. If you feel the need to feed birds, feed them only husk less items that leave less residue. Seal off easy access to birdseed by storing in a sturdy airtight sealed container.
7. SCENT YOUR HOME
Cats are a deterrent for keeping rodents away. Their scent alone is a deterrent, so they do not even have to be good mousers. Another scent that mice and rats avoid is mint. Plant some around your foundation or rub peppermint oil where you experience problems
CALL AN EXTERMINATOR
If you are finding that a rodent invasion is out of control, it is time to call a professional exterminator that has access to commercial grade pesticides and with the expertise to quickly deal with your rodent problem.
The most effective step for eliminating rats is to call on professional rat exterminators when you see evidence of a rat infestation. Rats are dangerous creatures. It is best to hire an expert that will help give you much better results than working on your own.
SOME HELPFUL ARTICLES:
COMPAT A RAT INFESTATION
WASPS, HORNETS & YELLOW JACKETS … OH MY!
PEST CONTROL DURING COVID-19
The Bug Stops Here is a full service pest control and exterminator company located in Long Island, New York serving all of New York City; Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and surrounding area. For twenty years, our team at Pest Control team has been comprised of professional exterminators who provide high quality pest control services for both commercial and residential properties throughout New York. Our team of extermination professionals can get rid of a variety of pests, ranging from mosquitoes, ticks & fleas, wasps,hornets, termites, rodents, ants to bed bugs. Our goal is to provide you with the best pest control services that exceed both your standards and those of the industry as a whole.
