Rodents are on the rise.
According to the National Pest Management Association, mice and rat populations are booming in cities across the US. They attribute the increase in numbers to mild winters and the increase in human population in urban areas.
If you’re not careful, a vermin army may be coming to your house next. Or maybe you’re reading this because they’re already there.
Besides the creepy factor, rats and mice present a clear and present danger to your family’s health. They can spread salmonella and carry disease-causing parasites. You can catch some life-threatening diseases, such as leptospirosis, from their urine and droppings.
If you suspect that you have a rodent problem, you need to act quickly. Here are some tried and tested methods to rid your house of these pests.
1. Seal Up Mice and Rat Entry Points
Did you know that rats can squeeze through a hole with the dimensions of a quarter? Mice can do the same with an opening as small as a dime!
As they say in basketball, offense wins games, but defense wins championships. Eliminating entry points to defend your home is both a short and long-term solution. Investigate the inside and outside of your home, and seal all the gaps, cracks, and holes you can find.
2. Throw Out the Clutter and Clean Up
This tip is another case in point of prevention being better than the cure. As you may already know, these animals are attracted to filth. They also like to create nesting sites out of clutter in your basement or garage.
Remove potential hiding places inside and around your home. Prune shrubbery and store firewood at least 20 feet away from your home as mice like to nest in the piles. Clean up food crumbs since rodents have an excellent sense of smell and also protect your garbage bins.
3. Guard Food Sources
You can make the case that knowing what repels mice and rats isn’t as important as knowing what attracts them. Food is their primary motivation. If you can take away their food supply, there’s a good chance that they’ll leave you alone.
Keep food in thick containers made of plastic or metal with tight lids. The same goes for pet food. Don’t leave out pet food in bowls overnight.
4. Set Traps
Traps are an excellent way to reduce the population of mice and rats. You can stick these traps in areas with frequent rodent activity, like attics, crawlspaces, and basements.
There are different kinds of rodent traps, such as snap traps, live catch traps, and bait stations. Please note that the CDC doesn’t recommend using glue or live traps since these can scare the creatures and cause them to urinate. Also, take note that traps for catching mice are different from those for catching rats.
5. Call Your Friendly Neighborhood Exterminator
When you think that all of this is too much for you, don’t worry. Professional exterminators, such as this service, are just a phone call away.
It’s absolutely okay to let people with the proper expertise and knowledge handle an infestation. That way, you’re not exposing yourself to harmful diseases carried by these vermin.
Evict These Pests!
Mice and rat tenants are the worst. Follow these tips so you won’t have to encounter these unruly and disgusting animals. Protect your house, protect your health, and protect your family!
For more home improvement tips and advice, please check out the rest of our website.
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