Rodents are more likely to enter homes during the cold seasons. This is the time they are looking for warmer conditions for shelter. They can wreak havoc to your property whenever they start preying on your clothes, documents, food, and cables.
If you suspect the presence of rats and mice in your home, the best thing is to take precautions before they multiply and start giving you a hard time. Below are some vital steps to follow to rid your home of mice and rats once and for all.
Identify and Eliminate the Entry Points
Prior research is necessary to know where the rodents are coming from. If you have to use any method of eliminating them, you need to know their entry points for better results. For instance, identifying the entry point will give you an idea of where to place traps or poison.
Once you‘ve identified the entry points, it’s time to defend your home from future mice and rats infestation. Although this might be difficult due to the rodents’ ability to squeeze in tiny openings, it’s important to seal all cracks in your home’s foundation. Also ensure there are no openings on walls, vents or utility pipes.
Remember that any crack that can fit a pencil is enough for mice or rats to squeeze in. Use caulking or steel wool to seal every crack. Don’t use materials that rodents can easily gnaw such as rubber, plastic, and wood.
Hunt down the Rodents Inside and Outside Your Home
Sealing all the cracks is a great preventative measure, but you still need to deal with the mice and rats inside and outside your home. There are many methods of eliminating rodents, but the most common is the use of traps and poison. Some people also keep cats for the purpose of hunting down mice and rats, but you can always use a combination of these methods.
If you are laying traps, you need to get the correct bait station. This means putting the traps where the rodents are likely to pass. For poison, great precaution needs to be taken to avoid hitting the wrong target. Make sure whatever you use as bait is placed in the right spot away from children or other pets. You also need to make sure you get the most effective poison that will kill the rodents instantly. Check out this review of the best rat poisons to get rid of rodents.
Enhance Good Sanitation
If you are successful in getting rid of mice and rats in your home, you must avoid all the conditions that attract rodents. One of them is to maintain great sanitation in your house. Those crumbs that you ignore could be a great attraction to mice and rats. One thing you need to know is that rodents don’t need a lot of food to survive; 3 to 4 grams of crumbs every day is all they need to stay alive. Always clean food leftovers and crumbs after eating.
You also need to secure your garbage and remove any debris that may be sitting around your home. Such debris creates a perfect hiding spot for mice and rats. If there are weeds in your compound, make sure they are regularly cleared. Anything that creates clutter around your home is a haven for rodents.
Clean up Your Home’s Storage Areas
If you have a tool shed or garage in your home, your home could easily attract rodents. This is because such storage areas are warm and offer numerous hiding places for mice and rats. Be on the lookout for any signs of mice in your indoor and outdoor storage areas.
Use the preventative measures mentioned above to avoid infestation before it occurs.
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