As summer melts into fall, you trade in flip flops and pool parties for scarves and bonfires. The change in the weather is welcome for many people, but for homeowners, it may also mean it’s time to check for rodents that have taken up residence in your house in search of warmth. Preventing mice and rats from entering your home in the first place is easier than getting rid of them once they have already taken up residence. Here’s what you need to know about rodent removal so you know when it is time to call a professional for pest control in Thornhill.
Why Do Rodents Come Inside?
Just like people, rodents don’t like to be cold. When the weather starts to turn chilly, mice and rats want to find a warm place to live. If they can find their way into your home, they’ll have plenty of warmth and food so they likely won’t leave on their own. Mice especially rely partially on humans to provide them with food and shelter. Depending on which type of rodent has taken up residence in your home, you may find the pests in different locations.
Mice can squeeze through holes as small as the size of a dime. They like to cozy up in small crevices inside your home. They can often be found behind large appliances or in attics and crawl spaces. Mice are small, so you may not realize you have an unwanted houseguest for a while.
Rats, on the other hand, are much bigger than mice. While they need slightly larger crevices to hide in, they can still squeeze into small spaces. These pests tend to hide in basements and under loose floorboards. Because the creatures are nocturnal, you may be more likely to hear them scurrying around than to see them.
How Can You Prevent Rodents From Entering Your Home?
Because rodent removal can be challenging, it is easier to implement a few habits to discourage them from entering your home. You can make your home less attractive to rodents by taking the following measures.
- Keep your kitchen clean. Keep food in airtight containers and wipe down counters to minimize crumbs.
- Close up potential entry points. Even spaces that are the size of a dime can be big enough to let a mouse in, so it is a good idea to inspect your home regularly and block potential entry points.
- Replace worn-out weather stripping around your doors and windows.
Sometimes preventive measures don’t work and rodents still find their way into your home. When you have a rodent problem, you need to call a professional to fix it. Because mice and rats are most active at night, you may notice signs of rodents before you see the creatures scurrying around, so it is important to pay attention to certain evidence that indicates you may be sharing your home with rodents. You may hear the pests scurrying around in the walls, or you may see marks on food containers where the rodents have been gnawing to get food. You may also start to see rodent droppings throughout your home.
Even though you may not see rodents very often, it’s important to get rid of them quickly if you have them. In addition to carrying diseases, the pests can wreak havoc on electrical wiring and the structure of your home. It’s important to enlist the help of a professional at the first sign of a rodent infestation.
Once mice or rats find their way into your home, it can be tough to get rid of them. Instead of frustrating yourself by trying ineffective do-it-yourself methods to get rid of the pests, call the experts at Truly Nolen for help. Our technicians have plenty of experience with rodent removal, and we have the equipment and knowledge necessary to deal with any situation involving mice or rats in your home. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.