Autumn is a beautiful time of year, with falling leaves, cooler temperatures and Thanksgiving festivities. But for homeowners, the arrival of fall also means the arrival of unwelcome houseguests – rodents! As temperatures drop, mice, rats, and other vermin are looking for somewhere warm to spend the winter. The last thing you want is for your cozy home to become a hotel for these undesirable pests. It’s important to take precautions to keep rodents out of your home during this season. Thankfully, there are many ways to prevent rodents from invading your home. Keep reading to learn some tips that every homeowner should know!
1. Seal Every Possible Entry Point
Rodents can fit through openings as small as ¼ inch, so it’s important to seal any possible entry point to your home. Start by checking the baseboards, windows, and doors for cracks or gaps and seal them using caulk or silicone. Don’t forget to fill any openings where utility pipes enter your home. If you’re not sure how to do this, or if the gaps are too large, hire a professional to do the job. They’ll be able to find and seal potential entry points you may have missed.
2. Keep Your Home Clean and Tidy
Rodents love to hide in cluttered or dirty homes. To prevent them from being attracted to your living space, make sure you keep your home as clean and tidy as possible. Remove any outdoor debris, keep your trash in airtight containers, and properly store all food. Be sure to also clean spills and messes immediately, including crumbs under your counters and on your floors. Regularly vacuum, mop, and use disinfectant to clean surfaces. This simple action can go a long way in preventing rodents from feeling welcome in your home.
3. Trim Your Yard and Storage Areas
Rodents like to hide in overgrown shrubs, weeds, and storage areas like woodpiles. Make sure you regularly trim your lawn, shrubs, and trees to keep them away from your home’s roofline and foundation. Keep your outdoor storage areas clean and properly stacked, and remove any clutter. Doing so will eliminate hiding places for rodents and discourage them from being attracted to your yard.
4. Install Rodent Repellent Devices
If you’re still concerned about rodents, install electronic repellent devices or other similar products to keep them away. Devices like ultrasonic or electromechanical repellers send out a frequency that’s unpleasant to rodents. You can find these devices online or at your local home improvement store. While they’re not a 100% foolproof solution, they can help deter rodents from entering your home.
5. Call in the Professionals
If you’ve tried everything, and you’re still dealing with a rodent infestation, it’s time to call in the professionals. Pest control experts can assess the situation and use chemicals and traps to eliminate rodents from your home. They’ll also identify any possible entry points and advise you on how to prevent rodents from returning in the future.
A rodent infestation can be a terrible experience for any homeowner, no matter how clean and well-maintained their home is. But by following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to keeping these little pests away. Remember to seal every entry point, keep your home clean and tidy, trim your yard and storage areas, install rodent repellent devices, and call in pest control experts if necessary. By doing so, you’ll be able to prevent rodents from taking over your home this fall!
