Don’t Let Cold Weather Cause a Rodent Infestation in Your Home!

The cold weather announces the arrival of many great things. It means the holidays are just around the corner. It also means comforting, delightful snacks like s’mores and hot cocoa. It especially means romantic times with your significant other. There is, however, one tiny bit of inconvenience that the cold weather can bring.

The Pitter-patter of tiny feet

When temperatures drop, pests move into your home. Pests like mice, squirrels, and rats get cold, too. So they are likely to enter your property, undetected, right up until you hear the strange pitter-patter of tiny feet running on your roof or behind walls. When the cold weather brings in rodents, they may also bring disease, which can endanger your health, and a behavior, which can destroy property.

But you can do something to prevent the pest invasion and protect your home. You can also do it using non-chemical solutions.

Below are preventive measures to keep rodents away when the cold weather comes.

Seal every entry point to your home.

If the mice or rats can’t find a “doorway” to your home, they will not invade. So before the weather starts to feel chilly, evaluate the outside of your home for holes and cracks. Look at holes around windows, screens, and crawl spaces under your property.

Even when you think the hole seems too tiny, seal it. Mice can get into pencil-sized holes while rats can squeeze into openings the width of a quarter.

Also, check for entry points inside your home. Look for holes around the sink, pipes, and un-screened vents in the attic.

Get rid of their food source.

The National Pest Management Association reports that almost a quarter of homeowners report mice and rat infestations during the cold season. These rodents are not just looking to get cozy when temperatures dip; they also look for food in your home.

So store your food properly—even pet food. Never leave food out at night.

Eliminate access points.

Aside from the holes and cracks, rodents can also get into your property through access points. These include firewood stacked up against your walls and overgrown shrubbery near your home.

Try to store firewood a few feet away from your home, and above ground. Trim your shrubbery to prevent it from brushing up against the house. Alternately, replant the shrubbery away from your home.

When you still hear the pitter-patter of tiny feet scurrying about at night and you see shredded paper or fabric around, call the pest control experts. You’ll not only get rid of the rodents but also get precautionary solutions that keep the pests away during cold weather—for good.

Source: http://fox2now.com/2015/11/09/cold-weather-pest-control/