How to Keep Rodents Out of Your Home This Winter Season
With the onset of winter weather, pesky rodents will be searching for ways to invade your home for food and warmth. They often enter through the garage or a crack in the home’s foundation. But mice and rats can also enter through the chimney or a damaged roof or siding. The following tips can help to keep these annoying pests out of your home during the cold season.
Inspect Your Home’s Exterior
Walk around the base of your home to check for places where rodents could get in. Start with the garage, as many pests make their way into that area first. From the garage, they will often find ways into your home.
Inspect your home’s foundation for cracks or crumbling stone where rodents could burrow inside. You may want to contact a pest control professional to check these areas for you and put out bait that is safe for pets, if needed.
Clear Debris
Remove trash and litter from around your home. Secure all rubbish in a closed bin that rodents cannot access. Prune shrubs and hedges to angle away from the house to keep rodents from nesting there. Don’t mulch within a foot of the foundation, as it can harbor pests of all kinds, including rodents. Get rid of any junk, toys, or lawn décor that could become rest-stop nesting places for rodents on their way toward entering your home.
Check for Indoor Potential Entry
Many pests sneak can sneak in from the top of your home as well. Make sure the chimney flue is kept closed if you have a working fireplace. Examine the attic and basement for leaks where mice and other rodents could enter your home. Drain systems should be checked for possible entry points from the sewer or a property water well. Window frames and door moldings should fit securely to keep pests outside. Weather strips will help to keep the house more secure from pesky invaders while maintaining indoor heat and resisting outdoor cold.
Keep Indoor Food Tightly Stored
Inside, don’t leave food containers with dry goods like flour or sugar sitting out on a kitchen counter. Avoid storing bags of produce in the cellar or basement. All food should be kept in airtight containers. This will protect your food from any rodents that have gotten in and reduce or eliminate any food odors that might attract other.
Preliminary steps like these can help to keep rodents away. Get your property ready to prevent these unwanted guests from taking over your home.