How to Keep Rodents at bay in your House
You can practice some basic things to get rid of rodents from your house, especially after comprehensive professional pest control service.
27/09/2020
Rodents can be the most annoying pests
when they infest your house. They contaminate
your food, leave droppings, damage your
property, chewing electrical wires, and spread
their diseases. The reason rodents like invading
homes are because our homes have the three basic
needs rodents need to survive: food, water, and
shelter.
However, you can practice some basic things to get rid of rodents from your house, especially after comprehensive professional pest control.
Seal gaps, cracks, and holes
The only way rodents gain access to your house, or food store is through gaps, cracks, or holes. They can slip inside a tiny hole, and the only way to prevent that is by sealing them up.
While at it, ensure you use the appropriate material that they cannot chew as rodents are very naughty when it comes to chewing on barriers. You can use caulk, steel wool, plaster, cement, or hardware cloth. If your windows or doors have big cracks, weather-strip them.
Do regular cleaning
Rodents are always attracted to unhygienic conditions and places with a lot of food leftovers. Ensure you tightly close your trash can and clean up spilled food immediately. Wash utensils immediately after use, keep outdoor grilling and cooking areas clean and do not leave water bowls outside at night.
Additionally, clean your pet's food bowl and keep compost bins as far away from the house as possible. Also, elevate woodpiles and hay at least 1 foot off the ground.
Store food properly
Rodents have a habit of attacking food stores, kitchens, and pantries because there is always food. Ensure you store your food and cereals in tightly closed containers that are rodent-proof.
Again, rodents are resourceful and will find something to eat in your compound. Keep them at bay by picking produce such as fruits in your backyard garden as they ripen. Compost fruits and vegetables that fall to the ground right away.
Moreover, feed when you feed your pets, do not leave the bowl lying around and ensure it is tightly closed in a container.
Set traps in the house
Traps that are child friendly to catch rodents are available in the market, and you can use them to catch the notorious ones. Set them strategically in the house and regularly check to get rid of the dead ones before they start producing odors.
Trim shrubs, flowers, and trees off windows
Some flowers, shrubs, and trees climb onto the wall and may reach the window. A rodent could use such an opportunity to gain entry into your house. So, trim the ones that are near windows and regularly mow your lawn to keep it tidy.
Liaise with neighbors
The rodents attacking your home could be coming from your neighbor's houses. Or if you have a rodent problem, the chances are that you are not the only one in your neighborhood dealing with such. Combined efforts can help get rid of the rodents completely.
If it is a must, use baits and poisons outside.
If you have to use poisonous and toxic baits to get rid of rodents, be extremely careful, and use them outdoors only. It is because the rodents can spread the poison all over your house and expose everyone to danger.
Before you use one, please read and understand the label and instructions, use it in an enclosed bait station and keep the children and pets away.
Seek professional pest control
If you have tried the above methods and the rodents don't seem to be going away, then it's time to seek professional pest controllers.
Generally, the most effective way of dealing with rodents is by seeking professional exterminators who will identify their sources and eliminate them. Besides, they know the safe and efficient methods of getting rid of rodents. Some companies will also visit from time to time after the control to ensure the treatment is working.