Ask anyone experiencing a rodent infestation what they would do if they could go back and stop it. Pretty much anything, many will say. This underscores two very obvious points: rodent infestations can be a real nightmare – and the best way to deal with one is to prevent it from happening in the first place. But to make sure you get the best results from your prevention efforts, you need to make sure you’re doing the right things. That’s why we’ve put together this expert’s guide to rodent-proofing your home.
What makes us experts? We’re Eden Advanced Pest Technologies and we have over 24 years of experience providing outstanding rodent control services to the greater Spokane area and northern Idaho. We’ve seen every type of rodent infestation you can imagine, and we know what works and what doesn’t.
What’s the Secret to Preventing Rodents in Your Home?
Here’s the secret: there is no one secret. It’s four proven strategies that combine to add up to a secure and rodent-proof house. These strategies actually work. Make them your priority. This is how professionals treat rodent problems in their own homes.
Four Strategies for Rodent-Proofing
1. Figure Out Where The Rodents Are Coming From and Work Backwards
If you have a rodent problem, you should focus on trying to figure out how they got in. If you can correctly answer this question, you can stop them next time. Rats and mice don’t magically appear out of thin air; they live outside and come inside because they found something they want in your house.
Rats and mice often get indoors by crawling through these entry points:
- Cracks or holes in your foundation (it only takes a crack about the size of a penny for a mouse to squeeze inside)
- Gaps around pipes or utility lines
- Open garages or broken screens
- Loose roof shingles
Try checking these areas and sealing up any potential entry points with things like caulk, metal mesh, or professional repairs.
2. Addressing Environmental Factors
A lot of people associate rodent infestations with unhygienic spaces, but that isn’t always the case. There are a lot of easily overlooked environmental factors that can attract rodents to your home or business:
- Food Sources: Rodents are opportunistic feeders and will scavenge for any available food. Keep food stored in airtight containers, clean up spills and crumbs promptly, and avoid leaving pet food out overnight.
- Water Supply: Rodents require water to survive, so eliminating sources of standing water, fixing leaks, and ensuring proper drainage can help deter them from your property.
- Vegetation: Overgrown vegetation and dense landscaping provide rodents with hiding spots and easy access to the structure. Trim back trees and bushes, remove ivy and other climbing plants from exterior walls, and maintain a tidy yard to discourage rodent activity.
- Clutter: Rats and mice are drawn to areas with lots of nesting materials. From old scraps of fabric to cardboard boxes, there are all sorts of materials that can make your space more attractive to rodents.
3. Placing Bait Stations Or Traps
Next, set up a line of defense with a combination of bait stations and traps. Bait stations lure rats and mice in with the promise of a tasty treat and give them a lethal dose of poison, while traps kill much quicker.
It’s important to note that while traps cause a faster death, they’re only effective if you know the places rodents are frequently crawling through—and they may not be enough to battle a full colony. Rats and mice are very smart, so they’ll catch onto traditional snap traps quickly.
Bait stations are a great choice if you aren’t quite sure where rodents are crawling around, or if you’re dealing with a large infestation. In a lot of cases, a rodent will carry some of the poison back to the colony, which can eliminate the problem over time.
4. Using Ongoing Prevention Tactics
Just because an infestation is gone doesn’t mean the battle is over. Rodents are year-round pests and they’ll invade if given the opportunity, so you need to stay prepared by investing in ongoing prevention. Luckily, it’s far easier to keep rodents out than it is to stop a colony that’s already taken over. Some ongoing prevention tactics you can use include:
- Secure Outdoor Trash Bins: Ensure outdoor trash bins have tight-fitting lids to prevent rodents from accessing food waste. Consider using rodent-proof containers or placing bins on elevated platforms to further deter pests.
- Seal Outdoor Structures: Inspect sheds, garages, and other outdoor structures for gaps or openings that may serve as entry points for rodents. Seal any cracks, gaps, or holes with durable materials such as steel wool or caulk to prevent rodent ingress.
- Install Door Sweeps: Install door sweeps on exterior doors to create a barrier that prevents rodents from entering the home. Make sure the sweeps are in good condition and snugly seal the bottom of the door.
- Monitor Bird Feeders: Bird feeders can attract rodents with spilled seeds and leftover food. Clean up any spilled seeds regularly and consider using squirrel-proof feeders or placing feeders on poles with baffles to discourage rodent access.
- Get Yearly Inspections: Schedule annual inspections by a professional pest control service to assess for any signs of rodent activity or potential entry points. Early detection can prevent infestations from escalating and minimize the need for extensive treatments.
Why Work With A Rodent Control Professional?
Now that you know the basics of rodent-proofing, you can try out your new skills. While these strategies help prevent the vast majority of rodent infestations, rodents can still be tough to predict. It may still be possible to end up with them in your home.
Our rodent exterminators have years of experience to quickly eliminate even the worst of infestations. If you want to get rid of rodents without the hassle or risk, contact the experts at Eden Advanced Pest Technologies today!
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