Top 6 Ways to Prevent Rodents
Posted: Tuesday, December 04, 2007
by Fran Phalin
ABC Pest & Lawn
We all like to satisfy our winter needs for a warm, safe place with plenty of food in the pantry. But so do rodents and other animals. When these pests intrude on our property, it becomes a situation much like kicking out the unwelcome kid next door who is constantly coming over and staying past dinner, and insists on using everything in your house for his own purposes.
Glass and metal containers are impenetrable to rats and other rodents and should be considered the primary type of storage for your food. Rodents will not be able to get their paws in these containers and your food should stay intact.
2. Place your trash in tightly covered metal cans to prevent smells from escaping or potential rodent entry.
Anything you throw away is game for rodents to dig through, so securing your garbage is especially important. If possible, you may even want to place your trash outside at the end of the night before you go to bed.
3. Check your faucets to make sure they are functioning properly and to fix leaks as they occur, since gaps or holes around pipes can serve as easy entry points for rodents.
This is something many people may not think of when rodent proofing, but it can really make or break a rodent entry into your home.
4. Seal up any unnecessary openings with concrete or sheet metal.
If you have any openings in your home that you will not need to use (such as a hole near your water pipes), it may be a good idea to seal up the hole or opening permanently. For other access points, a 1/4 inch hardware cloth or steel wool should do the trick.
5. For pet owners, put any uneaten pet food away before you go to bed, as any pet food left out is subject to rodent consumption!
This is a no-brainer that many of us may forget or may not even notice, but can be an easy target for mice to get to. And be mindful of any food you may forget to put away, not just pet food.
6. Wipe your floors often! Any bits of food left on your floor may be game for mice.
This goes along with not leaving pet food out. If you are not keeping your floors consistently clean, this may become a pattern for mice to notice and take advantage of.
Following these simple, but essential tips should leave you armed with the right facts and materials and you should now be able to handle rodents quickly and efficiently before they overstay their welcome in your home and ruin your holidays.
If your rodent problem becomes too much to handle, please contact ABC Pest Control for professional and quality handling of mice and rodents at www.ABCpest.com.
About the Author:
Fran Phalin is a freelance writer and editor specializing in home improvement topics. She is based in Austin, TX.
Fran worked with ABC Pest & Lawn when the rodent problem at her house became too much to handle. ABC recommends these tips as an effective way to rodent proof and keep critters out of your home!
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