Rodent infestations can put your family’s health and safety at risk. Not only can they carry nasty diseases, but they can also cause some serious damage your property by gnawing on wires and scratching through walls and flooring. There are several things that you can do in order to lower your chances of attracting rodents. This article provides several tips that will help to protect your home from rodents, plus it explains what to do in the event of a rodent infestation.
Food
Rodents are attracted to food, therefore you will need to maintain a high level of cleanliness when it comes to storing and disposing of foodstuffs. Store all of your food that you keep out of the fridge in airtight containers. This particularly applies if you have a pantry, as pantries will often attract rodents. Make sure that all outside bins are properly sealed and that the rubbish is taken away regularly.
Water Sources
Rodents will also look for areas where there is a water source. Therefore, you should fix up and seal anywhere where there may be water leaks, such as leaking pipes in the attic. Clogged drains are also sure to attract rodents, so keep these clean and sealed at all times too.
Holes and Entry Points
Rodents will scratch and dig their way into your home through any small holes in your home’s structure. You can spend an afternoon walking around your home looking for small gaps and entry holes. Also keep an eye out for scratch marks or gnawed areas as these will give an indication as to the areas that they are gaining entry. These areas can be sealed using products which are available from your local DIY store. If you are unsure of how to seal them then you can hire a handyman or rodent infestation specialist to come and seal them for you.
You can use door sweeps and screens to block small areas underneath doorways. Open chimneys can also be enclosed by installing specialist chimney screens.
Signs of a Rodent Infestation
Common signs of a rodent infestation include scratching, gnawing or squeaking noises – particularly at night. Holes in the structures of your property, scratch marks, missing food or rodent droppings are also an indication that you have a problem. Avoid cleaning up rodent droppings, as these can contain nasty diseases, instead call in the professionals to do it for you.
If you suspect that you have a rodent infestation then you will need to call in some rodent infestation specialists as soon as possible. Rodents can breed very quickly, so what may start as a small problem can turn into a large problem in a short space of time. These specialists will have the tools and the expertise to identify whether you have any type of infestation, plus they will provide you with the most efficient way to remove the rodents. If possible, try and choose a company who is reputable and able to remove wildlife in the most humane way possible. Good luck.