With winter on its way, you might be asking, where can I find pest control near me? More specifically…rodent pest control. Unless you have a furry friend that takes care of such things living in your home, mice can raise concern when seen on your property. As the weather cools, mice will be looking for a home and a food source to sustain them through the winter. Make sure your home is protected against mice and rat season with these following tips to help with home rodent control.
Make Your Home a “NO RODENT” Zone
A key point of ensuring no mice in the home is searching for any holes in the foundation and walls. Mice can make their way into holes only ¼ of an inch in diameter. Mice and rats are able to collapse their skeletons to fit through small spaces. Foundation cracks and joints around windows are vulnerable to cracks and holes. Other areas to check are whether seals and the edges of garage doors. If your garage is insulated, it may become a cozy home to rodents. A good way to fill foundation holes is mortar concrete filler. Windows, doors, and weather seals are easily filled with any basic sealant. If there are larger holes that are harder to fill with sealant, fill them with steel wool, which can be an excellent deterrent and even rodent eliminator. Even if a mouse begins to chew through the wool, they will be dead before they are able to enter.
Ensure Food Sources Are Inaccessible to Mice
If you had to pick only one of these best rodent control DIY tips from this blog to follow, it would be to decrease food access to pests. During fall, mice are searching for a food source for the winter. Bird feed is often a mix of ground grains and nuts, something mice are very fond of. Mice can climb up poles to get to the mixture and will stick around if it is accessible. Mice also enjoy pet food. Dog food, cat food, etc. If they can get their paws on it, they will not leave. Immediately after buying your pet’s dinner, seal them in containers so you don’t invite a rodent problem on your property.
Seal Garbage Bins
Garbage cans and bins kept alongside houses will be a beacon for rats and mice. Mice do not discriminate when it comes to a food source. Rotten food, old veggies, and freezer burnt corn dogs are still good to a mouse. Mice and rats are still able to climb a flat smooth surface. If possible, keep bins far away from your home. If you are unable to do so, there are more solutions to keep control of rodents around garbage. You can put your bins on platforms, secure lids with bungee cords and rocks, or scented oils. Mice and rats are repelled by the smell of peppermint oil, as well as castor oil and citronella oil. Soak cotton balls in these oils and leave them where mice are active to help with home rodent control.
Care for Foundation Plants
Dense shrubs and gardens planted close to the house provide hiding spots for mice and rats. As they seek for other entry holes, they are able to search without looking around for other threats. Mice can also make nests within or under bushes, considering it is surrounded and protected from the elements. Make sure to trim your garden, and keep plants planted a few inches from the home. If soil levels are too high, mice can squeeze their way into siding and into the home.
Keep Floors and Counters Clean
Crumbs or food scraps can invite mice inside. If they aren’t able to find food in your home accessible to them, they will leave your home alone. Make sure to not leave food out, especially overnight. If there is excess food in your pet’s bowl often, this is an invitation for a rodent problem—put it away and seal it.
Antifreeze For Rodent Control?
Keeping a small dish of antifreeze out can keep mice out for good. Antifreeze has a sweet smell and taste, which can attract mice. Mice like sweet things, and will take a drink from the liquid. Antifreeze for obvious reasons is great for rodent elimination because it is poisonous. Be very cautious when using antifreeze, considering other critters will be attracted to the product.
Fortify Your Chimney
Chimneys are a very easy access point for mice to make their way inside. Placing vents over chimneys blocks access to the interior of your home. This is an area where you can keep control of rodent’s entry points. If your fireplace is not in use at the time, close the damper to once again block entry.
Install Gutter Guards
Gutters are in a sense, highways for mice. Through these highways it makes it easier for mice to find their way inside unseen. Gutter guards also keep clutter out, which can also attract mice and other pests. It makes cleaning the gutters much easier, and you won’t have to worry about snow or leaves.
Keep the Garage Food Free
As we mentioned before, one of the best rodent control DIY tips is about decreasing access to food in the home…don’t forget the garage. Garages are often entry points for mice. When backing the car from the garage, working inside the garage, or just leaving the door open in general can welcome mice or rats inside. If mice can access any type of food, they are there to stay. Mice will also invite family and friends to enjoy food. The sealant around refrigerators can become old, and mice can easily chew through and access food inside.
Consider Getting a Pet Cat…a.k.a…Best Local Rodent Exterminator
If you asked the question what is the best rodent pest control near me?…the answer could be curled up purring on your lap. Cats are natural predators and can be one of the best rodent control options available. After adopting a cat, you will very soon see a large decrease in mice. Cats are also great companions, and aren’t messy. Cats also emit a chemical that deters mice from the home. The chemical is found in cat saliva, which triggers a mouse’s sensory organs and causes fear. Not only will a cat actively take care of the problem, but they will also passively defend as well, making them some of the best rodent exterminators you can have.
With rodent season soon approaching, have a game plan in place. If you need help with your pest control consider using Green Pest Management. We offer a pest free guarantee that includes residential and commercial rodent exclusion. If you want the best rodent exterminators in your area with the record to back it up, give us a call for a free quote at (302) 777-2390. Hear what customers are saying about Green Pest Management.
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