Finding out that rats or mice are living in your kitchen can be alarming. Rodents are most often drawn to places where they can easily access food and water, such as the kitchen. A rodent infestation in your kitchen can lead to contaminated food and surfaces, the spread of disease or pathogens and damage to your home. Truly Nolen Canada can help you with a rodent removal job in your kitchen. Wonder why rodents like your kitchen more than other rooms? Here are some reasons.
1. Unwashed Dishes
Leaving unwashed dishes in the sink can potentially attract rodents to your kitchen if you have an infestation in your home. Food particles and crumbs can still emit an enticing smell to a rodent’s powerful nose. Your unwashed dishes may give rodents in your home a filling meal, even if the food residue left behind on your plates is minimal. The best way to keep these critters away from your sink is to completely rinse off dishes and plates and either wash them or load them into your dishwasher each night.
2. Food Storage
Another reason mice and rats may be hanging out in your kitchen is due to the amount of food potentially available in this space. The kitchen is the room with the most amount of food stored, such as pantry items and refrigerated foods. Mice and rats can easily chew their way into some stored food packaging, such as plastic bags, cardboard boxes and other flimsy materials. If you open up your pantry and see holes in your food containers or chew marks, you may have a rodent problem.
3. Kitchen Trash Can
The next spot that may attract rodents is your trash can. The kitchen garbage can is typically the main source of trash for most homeowners. Inside the kitchen trash can, you may have plenty of tasty morsels for hungry rodents, such as discarded food from your meals, empty food containers and other items with food residue. Mice and rats can easily get into a trash can and fill themselves up on anything edible. The best line of defence is to empty out your trash as soon as it gets full and store bags in closed containers. Additionally, keep your kitchen trash in a secured cabinet or get a tight-fitting lid for your can.
4. Clutter on Counters
Clutter in your home also creates ideal nesting spots for mice and rats. Some people keep lots of clutter in their kitchen, such as mail, paperwork, school materials and other odds and ends. Rodents like to hide within cardboard boxes or other areas where clutter may pile up and make nests. Clutter can also hide food crumbs and spills that you may have missed in the regular cleaning of your kitchen. Be sure to thoroughly clean under appliances and items that sit on your countertops, such as your toaster, coffeemaker, fridge and stovetop. Additionally, clear out any clutter from piling up anywhere in your house and get rid of items that you don’t need anymore so you don’t have wasted space.
Professional Rodent Removal
Having a rodent infestation in your kitchen can give mice and rats free access to your family’s supply of food. Mice and rats leave behind toxic urine and feces droppings wherever they go, including on kitchen counters, inside cabinets and inside food containers and storage areas. The best way to approach a rodent problem is to call the pros, Truly Nolen Canada, for pest control in Richmond Hill.
Contact our team today at Truly Nolen Canada for an inspection of your home if you suspect rodents are coming inside. We can make a plan for rodent removal and help you and your family keep these critters away from your food.