How to Keep Rats and Mice at Bay in Preparation For The Fall
As the leaves change color and the weather turns crisp, fall is a season many of us eagerly anticipate. However, it’s not just humans who seek warmth and shelter as the temperature drops – rodents like rats and mice also start looking for cozy hideaways.
To ensure your home and business remain rodent-free this fall, it’s crucial to take proactive measures.
This guide will explore practical strategies to keep rats and mice at bay during autumn.
1. Seal Entry Points
One of the most effective ways to prevent rodents from invading your home and commercial space is by sealing all possible entry points. Rats and mice can squeeze through surprisingly small openings, so thoroughly inspect your property for any gaps or cracks in the foundation, walls, and around doors and windows. Use caulk, weatherstripping, or steel wool to seal these openings, preventing rodents from finding their way inside.
2. Keep Your Home and Business Clean
Rodents are attracted to food sources, so keeping your home and business clean is essential for deterring them. Be sure to:
- Store food in airtight containers, especially grains, cereals, and pet food.
- Clean up crumbs and spills promptly.
- Empty trash cans regularly and use bins with tight-fitting lids.
- Keep your kitchen and dining areas free of food debris.
Eliminating potential food sources makes your home less appealing to rodents.
3. Maintain Outdoor Areas
The exterior of your property plays a significant role in rodent prevention. Here are some tips for maintaining outdoor areas:
- Trim overgrown vegetation and keep grass well-manicured. Tall grass and shrubs can provide hiding spots for rodents.
- Store firewood, compost piles, and trash bins away from your home’s foundation.
- Repair any damaged or loose siding, as rodents can enter through gaps in your home’s exterior.
4. Set Traps
Traps can be an effective way to catch and remove rodents that have already entered your home. Various types of traps are available, including snap, live, and electronic traps. Place them where you’ve seen signs of rodent activity, such as droppings or gnaw marks. Check the traps regularly and dispose of any captured rodents promptly and humanely.
But keep in mind traps can cause a hazard for children and pets. In addition, a customer indeed will get turned away when they see rat and mouse traps.
5. Consider Natural Repellents
Several natural repellents can help keep rodents away if you prefer non-lethal methods. These include:
- Peppermint oil: Rodents dislike the smell of peppermint. Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them in areas where you suspect rodent activity.
- Cayenne pepper: Sprinkle cayenne pepper around entry points and potential hiding spots to deter rodents.
- Ultrasonic-repellent devices emit high-frequency sounds unpleasant to rodents but generally inaudible to humans. Plug them into outlets near rodent-prone areas. However, they are known not to work as well as marketed.
6. Properly Store Firewood
If you have a fireplace or wood stove, storing firewood properly is essential to avoid attracting rodents. Keep firewood elevated off the ground and at least 20 feet from your home or business. This distance makes it less likely for rodents to travel from the woodpile to the building structure. Inspect firewood before bringing it indoors, as rodents can nest in it.
7. Maintain a Clean Attic and Basement
Rodents often seek shelter in attics and basements, so keeping these areas clean and well-maintained is essential. Store items in plastic bins with tight-fitting lids to prevent rodents from nesting in boxes or chewing on belongings. Seal any openings or gaps that lead to these spaces, as rodents can use them as access points.
8. Schedule Professional Pest Control
If you’ve tried various prevention methods and still have a rodent problem, it may be time to call in professional pest control services. Pest control experts can assess your home, identify entry points, and implement effective rodent removal and prevention strategies. They may also use bait and traps in a targeted and safe manner.
9. Educate Yourself About Rodent Behavior
Understanding the behavior and habits of rats and mice can be valuable in preventing infestations. Rodents are nocturnal, so they are most active during the night. They are also skilled climbers and can easily access the upper floors and attics. Knowing their habits lets you focus your prevention efforts on areas where they are most likely to enter and nest.
10. Be Vigilant
Lastly, remaining vigilant throughout the fall season and beyond is crucial. Regularly inspect your home for signs of rodent activity, such as droppings, gnaw marks, or strange noises in the walls. The sooner you detect a rodent problem, the easier it will be to address it before it becomes a full-blown infestation.
Contact For Professional Pest Control and the Safe Removal of Rats and Mice
Fall is a beautiful season, but it also marks when rats and mice seek shelter indoors. You can effectively keep rodents at bay by taking proactive measures like sealing entry points, keeping your home clean, and contacting a professional to safely and effectively remove rats and mice.
Remember that prevention is vital, and a little effort now can save you a significant headache later on. So, prepare your home or business for fall and enjoy the season rodent-free.
Contact Wilkins Wildlife BedBug 911 for the safe and efficient removal and control of rats and mice.