Last week we discussed what signs to look for if you think rodents have decided to invite themselves in to your home or business. Trust when I say they need no written invite and forget about the courtesy of an RSVP.
If the conditions are right and they can partake of your most likely unintentional generosity by scavenging on any available food scraps, water and shelter, they’ll be there.
Remember, you play an important role in helping prevent rodents from becoming a problem. Our highly-trained service team at Western Exterminator can eliminate rodent infestations from virtually any account (try playing hide and seek with rodents on a train – it is a hoot!) but you are often the first line of defense in making sure rodents don’t inhabit your world.
How do you rid your house or place of business of these filthy and potentially destructive creatures? Aside from the ”walk softly but carry a big stick” approach I’ve advocated through the years, here are some effective tips from my expert colleagues at Western Exterminator to help keep rodents out.
Sanitation. Effective sanitation practices are fundamental to rodent control and must be continuous. And sanitation means more than just keeping things clean. If good sanitation measures aren’t properly maintained, the benefits of our pest control measures will be lost and rodents will quickly return.
- Storing pipes, lumber, firewood, crates, boxes, gardening equipment, and other household goods off the ground will help reduce the suitability of the area for rodents and also will make their detection easier.
- Collect garbage, trash, and garden debris frequently, and ensure all garbage receptacles have tight-fitting covers. Store pet food in rodent-proof containers.
Build Rodents Out. The most successful and long-lasting form of rodent control in structures is exclusion.
- Seal cracks and openings in building foundations and any openings for water pipes, electric wires, sewer pipes, drain spouts, and vents. No hole larger than 1/4 inch should be left unsealed, in order to exclude both rats and mice.
- Make sure doors, windows, and screens fit tightly. Their edges can be covered with sheet metal if gnawing is a problem. Coarse steel wool, wire screen, and lightweight sheet metal are excellent materials for plugging gaps and holes.
- Because rats and mice are excellent climbers, openings above ground level must also be plugged.
Do you have questions on how you can live more of a rodent-free life? If so, I want to hear them. You can send me an e-mail at AskMrLittle@WesternExterminator.com. I’ll be sure to get back to you right away with an answer.
Until next time, thanks for making Western Exterminator Company “The Final Word in Pest Control®”
Have a pest free day.
