Rodents can be a daunting house guest, especially as the temperature begins to drop. They’ll create their home alongside you and raise families all while sacrificing your food storage and comfort. Many people would rather not see any sign of rats or mice in their home and any indication may result in red flags being raised. However, there are ways you can begin early prevention of these rodents before they start settling down in fall.
Why Rodents Invade Homes in Fall
Rats and mice are just like any mammal; they require food and shelter to survive. Because they are warm blooded, many will flock to any locations that offer warmth during the colder seasons. These creatures are very opportunistic, and will take any chance they have to find a home that provides that warmth, especially if food opportunities arise.
Unfortunately for us, that may result in them raiding our attics, crawlspaces, or even pantries in search of finding a location to meet these needs. So, now that we know this, how do we help prepare?
Sealing Rodent Entry Points: Protecting Attics, Basements, and Crawlspaces
Both rats and mice are very nimble creatures, able to squeeze through the smallest spaces. For instance, mice are usually able to fit through entry points the size of a dime, while rats can squeeze through gaps the size of a quarter. Because of their opportunistic nature, they will utilize these small-sized entry points to find new harborage during colder weather, no matter where these entry points are.
These entry points are commonly reported in several places: where utility lines run into the home, in basement or crawlspace vents, or though damaged roofing or soffits. These are not the only places they’re reportedly found however, so it’s best to inspect your home and seal entry points off before the weather cools down. Want peace of mind? Ask about our rodent exclusion services.
How to Store Food to Keep Rats and Mice Away
Photo taken by Rambo technician Kaylee Galvan
Just like us, rodents also require food to survive. Unlike us, they have keen senses of smell and if they can smell it, they’re going to try to take it. Because of this, it’s important to be very mindful of how you maintain your food sources to minimize that incentive. Storing foods in air-tight containers that rodents won’t be able to chew through will help avoid the smells from wafting to their little noses.
If anything spills out, it’s important to clean it up as soon as you can. The more time it’s out, the easier it may be for a rodent to sniff it out. This doesn’t apply solely to human food, either; this can apply to any pet food as well. If it’s edible, there’s a chance the rodents may go after it.
It’s best to store whatever foods you can away and ensure nothing is left out overnight when they usually become more active. Not sure where to start? Our team can help identify risk areas.
Landscaping: Trim Trees and Shrubs to Deter Rodents
Believe it or not, rodents can be excellent climbers. So, it’s vital to make sure plant life is trimmed away from the home. Rodents may attempt to use any tree branches brushing up against the home as a bridge to enter into the attic. They may also use any shrubbery around the home as a hiding spot to avoid being seen. These can commonly go overlooked to us, but rodents will take whatever chance they have to secure their survival.
Declutter to Prevent Rodent Nesting
Similarly to outside shrubbery, rodents may use any signs of clutter or dense buildup as a hiding spot. These may make a rodent feel comfortable enough to begin nesting, so it’s best to make sure you clean any clutter to avoid these unwanted houseguests from getting comfortable. This can commonly happen in any type of material that rodents may find ideal to use as a nesting material.
When to Call a Rodent Control Professional
At the end of the day, if you notice any signs of rodents—such as finding rodent droppings or hearing scurrying in the middle of the night—it’s best to reach out to a professional. If you do discover any signs of rodents, it’s highly discouraged to use any do-it-yourself control methods. Yes, you may catch a few rodents, but it may not resolve any entry points they’re coming in from or where they may be trying to nest.
Professional pest services will be able to provide a thorough assessment of all of your areas of concern. Rambo Total Pest Control technicians keep an eye out for any entry points the rodents may be utilizing, travel paths that they may be taking, as well as any nesting sites. We can create a plan of attack against these invaders and help to provide you and your family a pest-free living environment.
Why wait until they’re hunkering down? Reach out now and we can get on top of prevention before it becomes a concern in colder weather! Rambo Total Pest Control is located in Puyallup WA, serving Western Washington homeowners with proven rodent prevention solutions.
