How Rodents Get Into Your Home
Every winter, homeowners are faced with the prospect of rodents entering their homes and creating problems. Preventing them entirely can be challenging, but there are some measures you can take to discourage them from entering your home.
Why Do Rodent Infestations Increase in the Winter?
Rodent infestations are sometimes attributed to old, unclean homes. This is not the case. If there are rodents in your area, they will be attracted to your home for food, water, and warmth. Eliminating entrance points, covering food, and reducing available water can go a long way to prevent infestations.
Eliminate Entrance Points
Rodents often enter homes through openings, in the basement, attic and garage. Use this as a checklist to eliminate common entrance points.
- Foundation
The most common entrance point for rodents, cracks in the foundation of your home allow easy access for mice and rats, who can fit through very small cracks and holes. Do a walk around the perimeter of your home and check for cracks in the foundation, gaps between concrete and foundation, or sunken areas of landscaping. Fill in landscaping until level, and use outdoor caulk or foam insulation to fill any cracks or holes in the foundation.
- Siding
Carefully inspect siding for holes, or gaps and fix accordingly. Again, outdoor caulk or foam insulation are great temporary fixes, if you don’t want to replace siding until a later date.
- Attic
Your attic is a common entry point for pests, particularly attic vents. Go up to your attic to ensure that these vents have screens, and that they are intact. Even small holes can be enough for rodents to slip through. Make sure that no tree branches are overhanging your roof, as these can serve as highways for pests to get onto your roof, and inside your home.
- Basement
Basements, particularly unfinished basements, can be ideal environments for rats and mice to live. Make sure that there are no entrance points for them to get in. This can include windows, doors, and cracks in concrete. Make sure everything is flush and sealed, and rodents will have a hard time getting into your home.
Reduce Available Food
While it may be hard to completely eliminate available food sources for rodents, there are a couple things you can do to reduce the likelihood that rodents will be able to find food in your home.
- Place dry goods in sealed containers
- Keep food items in cabinets, refrigerator and cupboards
- Keep food off the floor
- Clean up after meals
- Clean under appliances
- Sweep floors often
Eliminate Standing Water
The final thing that rodents are looking for in your home is a water source. They aren’t picky about where the water comes from, it could be running water or standing water. Reduce water sources by fixing leaky pipes and faucets, and eliminate any standing water in your home. Clean floor drains, make sure that there is no standing water in your garage, and place buckets under any drips or leaks that you have.
Do You Have a Current Infestation?
If you are currently experiencing a rodent infestation in your home, it may be too late for these tips. Thankfully, Fox Pest Control is here to help. Give us a call today to receive prompt service from one of our expert technicians. Fox Pest Control, no bugs. simply better.
