Simple Steps to Keep Rodents out of Your Home

Rats and mice are among the most common pests homeowners will encounter – and according to researchers, lockdown has made the problem worse in Wales. These rodents can carry diseases, damage structures, contaminate food sources, and spread parasites through their droppings. They also chew on electrical wiring, which can cause house fires if left unchecked. If you have this problem, here are some simple steps that can help you.

1. Hire A Rat Removal and Proofing Service

Many people who have a rodent issue in their home will attempt to fix the situation themselves. While it is possible to do some of this work yourself, there are some jobs that should be left to professional rat removal and proofing services. They have the tools, knowledge, and expertise needed for effective rodent control. If you are not sure what types of issues your house may have, engage the services of a reputable company to inspect it for you before proceeding with any other solutions. If they discover entry points where rats are entering your home, seal them shut immediately using heavy materials that cannot be chewed through or moved by rodents. Services that do removal of rodents and proofing of homes may also offer other services such as insulation installation and attic inspections. It is often a good idea to have your home checked for these issues so that you can start fresh from the standpoint of preventing rodents from entering in the first place.  You can usually also get advice and support from your local council’s Environmental Health team.

2. Clean Your Home Thoroughly

Rodents are attracted to the food and water humans leave behind in their homes. Cleaning up anything that might attract rodents is an important step in ridding your home of these pests. Not only should you get rid of any uneaten pet or human food, but also take the time to inspect every nook and cranny for any leftover crumbs.

Consider putting foods away rather than leaving them out on open surfaces where they can be easily accessed by rodents and other pests. Be sure to clean up spilled drinks immediately as well, since they may be a source of moisture that attracts mice and rats. If you have pets or small children who could endanger themselves by ingesting contaminated food sources such as fallen pieces of fruit, keep those items secured in closed cabinets and far away from your young children or pets. Seeds are another leading food source for rodents that need to be removed from the home if you want to get rid of them. Though many people don’t consider nuts to be a common household food, they should also be cleaned up if they have been spilled onto counters or floors.

Outdoors, try to store waste bags off the ground and remove any spills or waste food from your garden, and ensure that any outbuildings are well maintained.

3. Seal All Entry Points

Once the visible food sources have been removed from your home, it is time to seal off any entry points that rodents may be using to gain access. Rats and mice can fit through very small openings, so it is important to check for entry points in areas such as door frames, utility lines and vents, and the exterior of your home. If you find any holes or gaps where a rodent could enter, stuff them with steel wool or cement filler before they have time to chew their way inside. If there are obvious areas where rodents might be getting into your home, make sure those spots are sealed shut immediately, so they don’t have time to gain entry before you can block them off. This process will not only prevent new pests from entering the home, but will also help prevent existing rats and mice from causing damage by chewing on cables or wires. It is also a good idea to check the exterior of your home for any holes or gaps that might provide access and seal those shut as well. This one step alone can go a long way toward eliminating rodents from your home.

4. Research Online

Another good first step for people who are new to the world of rodent control is to research online. There are many articles like this one on various websites that offer useful information about eradicating rodents from your home. You should also check reviews before hiring a company to do the work for you, since they will be inspecting your house and providing recommendations based on their findings, which may affect whether you decide to hire them for the job. One final advantage of doing online research is that it can help you fact-check what any pest removal services tell you, so you know if they are telling you straight facts or simply offering their own opinions and suggestions for how to deal with the problem.

Rodent control is an important issue for homeowners, but it can seem like a daunting task if you don’t know where to start. Taking the time to clean your home thoroughly and block off entry points will get rid of rodents quickly, so be sure to take these steps before trying more expensive solutions. So, research and prepare first, and then you can take action. Good luck!