How Are Rodents Getting Into My Home?
Rats and mice, while often great as pets, are incredibly unwelcome as unexpected houseguests. When rodents enter your home, getting them out is tricky, but keeping them out is even harder.
Rodents like mice and rats have the ability to squeeze themselves into even the tiniest spaces. Narrow cracks in your foundation, small entries near windows, and gaps between siding and exterior masonry can easily provide rodents with a path to entry into your home.
Finding these critters, or signs of their presence, can be an unsettling experience. If you’re seeing nests, droppings, or other signs of rat and mouse presence, it’s time to call the #1 company providing rodent removal in Vancouver: All Green Pest Control!
Why do rats and mice come inside?
Rats and mice, like other small animals, enter your home to find warmth, shelter, food, and a place to start nesting. Once inside, these small rodents will work tirelessly to gather resources for their nests. Mice and rats naturally seek out cluttered areas that will offer natural protection from predators. They’ll also make their homes near abundant food sources. The city of Vancouver highlights removing trash promptly and properly composting as two major steps residents can take to alleviate mouse and rat problems.
What risks do rodents pose to the inhabitants of my home?
Rats and mice bring all sorts of trouble along with them. These small rodents have teeth that grow continuously. Because of this, rats and mice are often found chewing on just about anything they can get their hands on. This causes structural damage to your home and can pose fire or electric shock risks when the rodent chews on live electrical wires.
In addition to physical damage, rats and mice can also put your family at risk of disease. The scavenging nature of these small rodents puts them at extreme risk for carrying Pinworms, Hantavirus, and even Salmonella.
Their droppings and urine can play host to a large number of biological hazards, as well.
How do rats and mice get into my home?
These small rodents are persistent animals focused on survival. If there’s any opportunity for a mouse or rat to enter your home and seek shelter, they will take advantage.
Rats and mice can sneak in through even the smallest of entrances. Cracks in masonry, gaps in door and window trims, and damaged home foundations are common entry points for small rodents. Some rats and mice can even make their way into your home through chimneys by climbing the masonry down into the home.
Some places to watch out for are:
- Garages/Carports
- Cluttered basements
- Cracks in foundations, especially near kitchens or bathrooms
- Pipes, such as exhaust or drain tile pipes
- Places where landscaping is close to the homes
How can I keep mice and rats out?
Keeping rats and mice out of your home begins with practical diligence. Natural scavengers, these animals will gravitate toward places that can help ensure survival. Keeping food, water, and other valuable resources out of the reach of rodents will go a long way in ensuring they don’t take up residence in your home. Properly storing food, cleaning kitchens regularly, and inspecting plumbing for leaks all play a strong role in keeping these pests out.
Here are a few things you can do to ensure rats and mice stay out:
- Remove clutter – Rats and Mice are nesting creatures. Cluttered areas make it easier to build nests, and seemingly provide natural protection from predators. This makes cluttered corners and densely packed cabinets the perfect homes.
- Seal entry points – The easiest way to keep rats and mice out is to minimize the place they can get in. Given their small stature and impressive flexibility, it will likely be impossible to seal up every possible entry point, but tackling foundation gaps can be an excellent place to start.
- Properly store food – Rats and mice will hunt down and ravage food sources. Keeping your dry goods stored in airtight plastic or glass containers can prevent rat and mouse access, and ultimately deter their presence. Don’t overlook the cat and dog food, either!
- Keep kitchens clean and dry – Regularly cleaning under ovens, stoves, dishwashers, and refrigerators can help keep rats and mice at bay.
- Solve plumbing problems right away – To rats and mice, moisture is a good indicator that a place is nest-worthy. Pinhole leaks in pipes may not cause catastrophic damage to your property, but the accumulating moisture can make it easier for rats and mice to create their nests and keep their rodent families hydrated.
If you think you may have a rat or mouse problem, contact All Green Pest Control today to schedule your initial inspection. If rodents are present, our team will set traps and deterrents to rid you of your small animal problems.