They say there are as many as 2 million rats in New York City; that’s only roughly quarter of the number of people but it’s still more than you would want to find in your home!
The simple fact is that just one rodent in your home is one too many.
That’s why it’s important to take steps now; prevention is much easier than cure. Of course if you already have a rodent problem then you’ll need to get your local pest control expert to visit and help you find a solution. You can easily find out more about the service they offer.
Before you have an issue it’s a good idea to implement these 5 effective steps for rodent control:
1. Check & Seal Entrances
The first and most obvious step is to prevent the rodents from getting into your house. You need to take a look at your perimeter and note any cracks or gaps in your structure. This means round windows, doors, basements and even across your roof. Any small gap can be an access point for these determined and surprisingly intelligent creatures.
As soon as you see an issue you need to fix it. You should also continue to regularly inspect; not just once a year. Late summer and autumn is when the rodents will be looking to set up a nest for the winter but they can come in at any time of the year.
2. Keep It Tidy
Food, water and warmth; in many ways the rodent is after the same things that you are. Don’t help them out by leaving crumbs on the countertop or even across the floor.
If you open a packet of food it should be sealed afterwards and kept in a cupboard; preferably in a plastic or metal container.
The tidier your house is the less attractive it will be to rodents.
3. Trim Your Trees
You may not know this but mice and rats are excellent climbers. They can shimmy up a tree and leap onto your roof or even through an open window!
Trim your trees and keep the branches at least 6 to 8 feet from your house. This will reduce their ability to get into your home.
4. Be Aware Of Moisture
Rodents prefer moist places to live; after all they need water to survive just as we do. You need to remove standing water sources from inside and outside your home.
It is also important that you check your basement and look for any signs of water ingress. This will need to be treated quickly to prevent you creating an attractive home for rodents.
Damp can also cause problems for your foundations and even your health; the quicker you deal with this issue the better.
5. Inspect Your Attic
You also need to go upstairs and check your loft. If you have insulation (and you should); then this is the perfect place for mice and rats to make comfy homes.
The problem is not just that you have rodents in your home. Their efforts on your insulation will leave it shredded and full of feces. This makes the insulation useless and can cause harm to your health through airborne diseases.
Check your attic space if you find your insulation is shredded get professional help straight away. Check your attic space if you find your insulation is shredded get professional help straight away.
