Are you afraid of rats or dislike the idea of sharing your home with these pests? If you want to keep rodents out of your home, don’t wait until they’re in it before you do something.
In the US, the average range of rodent control services is between $172 and $522. Rodent control experts can help in getting rid of rodents in your house for good, but that’s still a few hundred dollars you could’ve used on other projects or essentials. So instead, prevent them from coming to your house with this guide.
Below, we’ve got a list of things you can do to deter rodents from entering and living in your home:
1. Clean Your House Often
Frequent and deep cleaning is the best way to keep rodents out. It keeps rodents away and other pests like ants, cockroaches, and other bugs. Habitual cleaning will frequently disturb any sites where these pests might think to live and remove any food sources.
In particular, be meticulous with kitchen cleaning. Ensure that every surface has no trace of food left on it. Also, seal or close your garbage bins, especially the ones for biodegradable wastes.
2. Call Rodent Control Services
As soon as you see any sign of rodent infestation, get professionals to take a look at your home right away. Quick action is essential in nipping any infestation or pest-related problem at its root.
3. Seal Closed Any Opening Into Your Home
Turn your home into a fortress that’s impenetrable to rodents. Pay attention to all the doors, windows, and vents that lead to an exit or entrance into your house. Also, turn your chimney, gutters, exterior walls of your home rodent-proof.
Use caulk, steel wool, steel net, and others to seal these areas. Don’t forget about entrances and exits into your house from your basement or attic. Clear overhanging trees or branches that rodents can use to get onto your roof.
4. Put Food in Hard-to-Reach or Airtight Containers
Make it a habit to place food in places that rodents can’t reach. Your fridge, cabinets, and cupboards are excellent for this purpose. When you put food on cupboards or cabinets, ensure there aren’t nearby wires, curtains, or surfaces. Rodents can use these things and other similar materials to climb onto the cupboards to access your food.
If you want to take extra measures, place your food in sealable plastic containers. Simple plastic or Ziploc bags won’t work as well in keeping your food safe since rats can chew through them. Instead, store your food in Tupperware or Lock & Lock food storage boxes.
5. Keep Mint Around Your Home
Although it’s small, mint is a powerful plant. It’s a natural deterrent for rodents like mice and rats. Even cats dislike mint and mint-related odors. For humans, mint has tons of excellent health benefits, including:
- Improving digestion
- Relieving headaches
- Soothing itchy skin and clearing pimples
- Repelling bugs and more
Consider planting or putting potted mint plants in and around your house. You can even leave dried mint leaves scattered in your home or on your attic beams. You can also use peppermint essential oils and place them indoors down along places where you spot rodents.
6. Clear Up Your Yard
If you’ve got a messy yard, you’re most likely calling rodents into your home without knowing it. As soon as you can, clean up and organize your yard. Remove debris, clutter, and garbage. If you store firewood outside your home, keep them at least 20 feet away from the house.
If you’re growing shrubs, bushes, or other plants, make sure you keep them at least three feet away from your house. Rodents can live underneath or within these plants. Also, make sure you check the shrubbery often and clean around them regularly.
7. Remove All Moisture Sites
Many people overlook moisture in the home as an attractor of rodents. These pests love breeding in moist areas. Leaking pipes and clogged drains are the most common breeding grounds for rats and mice. Even if it’s dark, they know they can find water for drinking in these areas.
Fix any leakages in your drainage if you want to keep rodents away. Check your attics, basements, and crawlspaces for any moist areas. Fix the source of the leakages, dry the site, and keep them well-ventilated if you find any.
8. Bring Home a New Feline Housemate
If you’re ready to get a new pet, swing by the shelter and get yourself a cat. Cats are famous for their knack for hunting mice, after all. However, buying a cat and expecting it to hunt rodents isn’t enough.
You should also train your cat by playing hunting games with it and feeding it well. Keep in mind that older cats don’t have the energy to hunt mice, so consider their age, too. When your feline friend starts catching mice, don’t forget to praise them and give them treats to encourage the behavior further.
Conclusion
Don’t wait until it’s too late before you practice pest control measures. Instead, be more proactive in keeping rodents out with these methods. Prevention and quick action in case of early infestation will never fail you.
