How To Keep Mice Out Of The House
No one wants to find rats or mice in their home. Learn how to rodent-proof your home to prevent a future rodent infestation.
Common Signs of Rodents
There are several common signs that may indicate a rodents infestation in your home.
Urine and Droppings
One of the most obvious signs of rodents is the presence of urine and droppings. These can be found along rodent runways (the paths rodents take as they move around your home), in nesting areas, or near food sources. Droppings are dark brown or black, small (about the size of a raisin for mice or a kidney bean for rats), and may be moist or dry. You may find them in cupboards, drawers, behind appliances, or in storage areas. Urine stains may be visible on floors, walls, or other surfaces where rodents have been active.
Gnaw Marks
Rodents’ front teeth grow continuously, so they need to gnaw on hard surfaces to wear them down. This can result in damage to woodwork, baseboards, doors, furniture, electrical wiring, and insulation.
Rodent Nests
Mice and rats build their nests out of soft materials like paper, insulation, or fabric. Nests are usually built in hidden, protected areas like under a sink, behind walls, in the crawl space, in an attic, or behind appliances.
Grease Marks
Mice and rats travel the same routes over and over, leaving greasy rub marks along surfaces. These marks are usually found around openings they use to enter structures, on beams or pipes in attics or crawl spaces, or on walls and floors in areas where they travel.
Scratching in Walls or Ceiling
You may hear rodents scratching inside walls, crawlspaces, the attic, or other hidden areas. This is often most noticeable at night when the house is quiet.
What Attracts Rodents?
There are many things that can attract rodents to your home or business. Some of the most common include:
- Food Sources: Rodents are attracted to food sources, such as unsecured garbage cans, pet food, and bird seed.
- Water Sources: Rodents need water to survive, so they are often attracted to water sources, such as leaky pipes and faucets.
- Shelter: Rodents are looking for a place to build their nests. They often enter homes and businesses through openings, such as cracks in the foundation or gaps around doors and windows. Once they are inside, they will often build their nests in dark, secluded areas, such as attics, crawl spaces, and behind appliances.
- Temperature: Rodents are attracted to warm temperatures. They often enter homes and businesses in the winter months when the outside temperature drops.
How Do Rats Get In The House?
There are a few ways that rats can get into your home. They can come in through holes or cracks in the foundation, openings around pipes and wires, or gaps around doors and windows. Rats can also climb trees and enter homes through attic vents or chimneys.
Rats are one of the most common household pests, and they can be very difficult to get rid of once they've taken up residence in your home. If you're dealing with a rat problem, there are a few things you can do to try to rodent proof your house.
Keep A Clean Home
Rats are attracted to food and clutter, so one of the best ways to prevent them from coming into your home is to keep things clean and tidy. Make sure there is no garbage or clutter around that could provide a potential hiding spot for rats. Wipe off counters often and clean up any spills immediately.
Remove Food Sources
One of the best ways to keep rats away from your home is to remove any potential food sources. Be sure to store all food in airtight containers and regularly take out the trash. Additionally, you may want to consider getting rid of any pet food that you leave out overnight.
Seal Up Entry Points
Rats can squeeze through very small spaces, so it's important to check your home for any potential entry points and seal them up. Be sure to check for holes in your walls, gaps around doors and windows, and any other openings that a rat could potentially use to get into your home.
Use A Rodent Repellent
There are a number of different products on the market that are designed to repel rats. These repellents usually work by emitting a noise or scent that rats find unpleasant, and they can be an effective way to keep them away from your home.
Plant Rodent-Repelling Plants
Another way to keep rats away from your home is to plant some rodent-repelling plants around the perimeter. Some good options include citronella, garlic, and peppermint. These plants will help to keep the rats away without being harmful to them.
Set Up Rodent Traps
If you already have rats in your home, one of the best ways to get rid of them is to use a trap. There are a number of different traps on the market, and you can choose one that best suits your needs. Be sure to bait the trap with something that the rats will find irresistible, such as peanut butter or cheese.
Rodent Proofing Services
For effective rodent-proofing, it might be worth calling a professional rodent exclusion specialist to keep your home or business free of rats, mice, and other rodents. These services generally include a full inspection of your property to identify any potential entry points for rodents. Once the problem areas have been identified, they will be sealed up to prevent rodents from getting inside.
Whether you need rodent exclusion services or are in need of a rat exterminator in Wilmington to combat a current rodent infestation, contact Bug-N-A-Rug! We also offer ongoing maintenance services to keep your property free of rodents for good. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.
What Is Rat?
Rat is a small, long-tailed rodent that is found in many parts of the world. There are many different species of rats, and they vary in size, color, and behavior. Some rats are considered pests because they can damage crops or spread diseases. Other rats are kept as pets.
What Do Rats Eat?
Rats are omnivorous creatures, which means that they will eat almost anything they can get their hands on. This includes both plant and animal matter. Some of the things that rats have been known to eat include:
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Bugs
- Small animals
Rats will also eat just about anything people will eat as well. This means that they will raid pantries, garbage cans, and anywhere else they can find food. If there is food available, rats will eat it.
When Are Rodents Active?
Rodents are usually most active between dusk and dawn. However, they can also be active during the day if they feel threatened or if they are searching for food. If you see a rodent during the day, it is likely because it feels threatened and is looking for a way to escape.
What Smells Do Rat Hate?
There are a few smells that rats seem to dislike, including:
- Peppermint oil
- Garlic
- Onions
- Cayenne pepper
- Chili powder
These smells might help keep rats away. You can try putting a rat-repellent spray or gel near where you've seen them or where they might try to enter your home.