pest expert Matthew S. Hess
09/03/2018
All pests are attracted to three things: food, shelter, and water, including rodents. In order to have effective rodent prevention, these factors must be reduced or eliminated where possible. However, the elimination of these three factors can become quite complex. Rodents don’t require large amounts of water or food to survive, and they can live in just about any environment. They are resourceful, sly, quick critters that tend to prosper best where humans have first settled. As a result, implementing the following prevention measures will certainly help reduce and eliminate future rodent infestations.
Effective Rodent Prevention Begins Outside
Rats and mice aren’t natural indoor dwellers. Like most pests, they live primarily outdoors. However, moving indoors is no problem either. House mice love the indoors, especially when readily available food and water sources exist. If they find themselves near a structure, it won’t be long until they find a way in. Deer mice and Norway rats prefer to burrow into the ground to form nests near their main sources of food. Yet, they, too, will make their way indoors if given a chance.
If either of these rodents make their way near your home or business, you may end up becoming another rodent infestation statistic! But not to worry, this is why we are here! Our rodent control service begins outside, where rodents most often live. By focusing most of our attention there, we not only eliminate the infestation but impact the environment around you as well. This means fewer rodents nearby, less chance for future infestations, and effective rodent prevention.
In addition to our treatment plan, practicing a few key things on your own can also help maximize effective rodent prevention:
- Maintain a well-mowed and weeded lawn
- Keep outside clutter and debris to a minimum
- Store garbage in proper receptacles until pick-up day
- Store firewood away from the home and up off the ground at least six inches
- Keep bushes and shrubs trimmed to at least 16 inches from the structure
- Cut trees and tree limbs back away from the structure (no overhanging limbs over the roof either)
- Seal any holes, gaps, and cracks along the foundation
- Replace bad door and window gaskets
By performing routine maintenance, practicing good sanitation, and using good storage techniques, you will have much better and longer-lasting rodent control success. Talk to your pest management company about the things you may need to do around your home or business.
Effective Rodent Prevention Continues Inside
Although rats and mice primarily live outdoors, they tend to thrive near human settlements. They will find ways to get closer to humans whenever possible. If you don’t take precautions, rodents living just outside your home or business are likely to get inside sooner rather than later. Once they’re inside, mice and rats usually have no shortage of the three things they need to survive: food, shelter, and water. The best approach is to prevent them from getting inside in the first place. However, if they do manage to get in, it’s essential to ensure that they can’t access food, water, or nesting material.
To stop rats and mice from taking over your home or business, you can practice the following steps:
- Don’t allow a building to sit vacant for extended periods of time
- Allow vacation homes to be visited MONTHLY by a pest control professional
- Keep food and food items in airtight containers made from glass or plastic
- Refrigerate all foods that will allow it
- Store foods as high on shelves as possible
- Keep plumbing (faucets, valves, drains, etc.) in good working order with no leaks
- Place unused blankets, sheets, and other bedding in a cedar chest or other similar storage
- Make sure paper and plastic bags, toilet paper, tissues, and other similar items are out of reach of rodents.
- Declutter your home or business.
- Maintain good sanitation practices
- Use proper receptacles for garbage and regularly empty them
- Don’t allow doors to stand open when not in use
- Allow pets to be fed only what they can consume in a 5 – 10 minute period (or as suggested by vet or food manufacturer
If all else fails, you could try using a few rodent traps or sticky traps to eliminate a small infestation of only a couple of mice. Practicing these steps will help control and prevent most rat and mouse infestations.
The Best Help is Professional Help
We understand that you may have a busy schedule and may not be able to focus on the intricacies of managing and preventing rodent infestations. That’s perfectly normal – after all, not everyone is a pest expert! Instead of worrying about what you don’t know, focus on what you do know and let Four Seasons take care of your rodent and pest problems. Whether you require basic rodent control, advanced exclusion services, education about rodents, info on the risks of rodent infestations, or just want an inspection, Four Seasons Pest Solutions is the perfect choice.
Our team of highly trained service technicians are ready to get to work for you, your family, and your colleagues to make your home or business a safer and healthier place to be!
It’s good to have Four Seasons on your side!
Four Seasons Pest Solutions
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