Simple Tips To Keep Rodents Out This Winter

Insects aren’t the only ones trying to sneak into your house to escape the bitter winter temperatures. Rodents, like mice, rats, and squirrels, are also looking for places to warm their fur away from the bitter winds. Unfortunately for you rodents can carry a smorgasbord of diseases and parasites (like ticks) into your house.

Here are a few rodents trying to make your home theirs:

Squirrels

Squirrels are very skilled in the art of jumping onto your roof. Most squirrels can leap approximately eight feet from the branches of trees to access your roof and attic. Make sure to prune any overhanging branches or tree limbs that are close to your home, and fasten a thick band of sheet metal to the trunks of trees near your house. Seal up any openings that may lead into your roof or attic.

Mice and Rats

Mice can squeeze into surprisingly small openings to access your home. Be sure to plug any openings greater than a quarter inch in diameter, particularly around doors and windows. Experts recommend the use of steel wool, cement mortar, or perforated metal to close any potential entry points. Install runner sweeps at the bottom of garage doors to close any gaps. Cut your grass short, since taller grass allows mice to easily hide from natural predators.

To prevent rats and mice from entering your home all year long, place bait traps in many locations around the property. Install tamper-resistant bait stations around the perimeter of the property. You will most likely want to use block bait because it can be secured inside bait stations on vertical or horizontal rods. Make sure to select the correct product to minimize the probability of secondary poisoning to other animals. It is also recommended that you place bait traps around the exterior of your home, especially near doors and windows. Lastly, situate bait traps indoors where you may suspect an infestation.

Preventive measures work best for keeping your home rodent-free. If you suspect that you might have a rodent issue  in your home and you are not equipped to handle it, it is best to enlist the services of a licensed pest professional. Contact JP Pest Services for a free residential estimate today.