Rodents can quickly damage your home and they spread a number of serious illnesses including hantavirus. It is very stressful to realize that you have rodents in your home leaving trails of droppings and urine as they scamper through your kitchen in search of food. They are expert climbers and can get into almost any space. It is important to take steps to prevent rodents from getting in your home.

Check for Holes Around Your Foundation

Periodically check your home for places where rodents can find their way into your home. If you see signs of holes or chewing, you should take the steps necessary to fix the holes. This could mean replacing wood or it could mean installing pest exclusion barriers in those spaces. If you have damage from other pests like termites, rodents will take advantage of these weaknesses to work their way into your home, so you should make those repairs correctly.

Look in Your Attic and Under Your Eaves

Another area that rodents will get into your home is through your roof or under your eaves. They can walk across electrical wires or climb on trees and drop onto your roof. You should check your roof for loose shingles or areas that the rodents can easily get in and make the necessary repairs. Check under the eaves too. Be sure that grates are installed over each the vents to keep rodents out.

Trim Back Tree Branches

Tree branches that hang over your home or brush up against the side of your home can provide another access point for rodents to get into your home. Trimming back any bushes or trees will provide the extra protection against rodents and other insects.

Check Areas Where Pipes Enter Your Home

Rodents will come in through any area where there is a space or weakened wood. The areas around the pipes can be weakened if there is a leak in the area. You can install exclusion barriers or replace wood that is weak or rotting to keep rodents out of your home.

Keep Your Home Clean

Rodents are attracted by strong smells, and they can more easily set up house in a home that is cluttered and not as clean. Cutting down on the clutter and taking out the trash each night can reduce the chances of getting rodents. Be sure to do your dishes each night and to store all your food in airtight containers. These steps can cut back on the smells in your home and make your home less attractive to rodents.

Mice are wild animals that are looking for a way to survive. You may find that mice try to come into your home more in the fall or winter as they are looking for a warm place to stay. Once you understand what mice are looking for when they enter in your home.

Shelter

Mice may enter your home looking for a place to make their home. They will want a quiet place that is near a food source. They will build their nests out of shredded paper and other items. They may make their nests in the walls, in cupboards or in the corners of your garage. If they can find a safe place that is free from predators like a cat, they will quickly settle in for a long stay. Mice reproduce rapidly which means a few mice can quickly turn into an infestation. Once rodents have infested your home there are many dangers that come with them.

Food and Water

Mice will come into your home looking for food and water. They will quickly find food that you may have left out on the counter or the table. They want food that is easy for them to access, but once they have established themselves in your home, they will begin to chew through plastic and boxes to get into the food that they want. They like grains, seeds, oats and fruit. They are vegetarian. They may also eat your pet food and it is a good idea to keep this in a sealed container.

Trash and Clutter

Mice will also go after the trash that is in your home. They like the easy access to the food that you throw away.  Clutter is another factor that makes your home more appealing. It makes it easier for the mice to hide and gives them a place to nest or forage. The cleaner your home the less likely the mice are likely to find their way in to stay.

Keeping Mice Out

One key to keeping mice out of your home is to put up deterrents in any areas where they can easily gain access to your home. Look for chewed up boards around pipes into your home, or around the foundation. You may also want to check out the eaves of your home and the attic. If you keep the food stored in airtight containers and take out your trash regularly, you are less likely to have to deal with mice in your home. If one does wander in, you will likely be able to spot it and take care of it before it becomes a serious issue. When you realize it’s time to call in a professional exterminator, make sure you call the rodent exterminators at EcoTek who can help you completely eliminate any type of rodent in you home, ranging from mice and rats, to squirrels and bats.

With the onset of cooler weather, it is an excellent time to think about getting your home ready for winter. A few simple steps can help reduce the amount you pay in heating bills over the winter. The following steps can help you prepare your home for the colder weather.

1. Service Your Furnace

It is a good idea to have your furnace or heating system serviced each year before the cold weather hits. If you do not have a professional do this for you, be sure to change out the filters and to turn it on to make sure it is working before the first freezing spell of the winter. This will let you know if you need to have work done on it.

2. Wrap Your Pipes and Water Heater

The hardware store sells items that you can use to safely wrap your pipes and water heater. When you wrap your water heater, you can reduce the amount that you pay to heat your water each year. It is like a quilt that you wrap around the water heater. If you have pipes that run through a crawl space under your home, it is a good idea to wrap those pipes to prevent them from freezing throughout the winter. You might also want to consider getting your crawlspace encapsulated before the temperatures start to drop.

3. Fix Drafts and Cracks

Take the time address drafty windows and cracks around your door and window frames. You can apply a plastic layer to windows that will shrink when you apply heat and seal any drafts that may be coming in through the glass. Applying caulk along the window frames and door frames to stop any drafts can also help. There is also a weather tape that you can apply to a door that may have cracks in between the door and frame.

4. Do a Visual Inspection

Check your attic and the foundation of your home for any additional cracks not only can these let heat out, but they can let in animals that are looking for a warm place to make their home this winter. They can make a mess, cause damage and even spread disease if they do get in. If you suspect you have an issue with rodents call the experts at EcoTek who can safely trap and remove any animals and help with the decontamination of your home.

5. Don’t Forget Your Car

It is just as important to make sure your car is ready for winter. Take the time to check your tires and possible buy chains or change to snow tires. Check the antifreeze and other liquids in your car to make sure everything is ready to handle the extra cold. It is also a good idea to put an emergency kit in the car for winter in case you get stranded.

As the temperature starts to decrease at night, rats and mice begin to look for a warm place to spend the winter. Often this means the nearest heated building that may provide shelter and a reliable food source. Rats and mice carry a number of diseases and can quickly wreak havoc on your property. Here are five things you can do to prevent them from getting in your home this winter. Read more Prevent Rats and Mice from Entering Your Home ›