How to Keep Mice and Rats Out Of Your Home

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Mice and rats are some of the most frustrating and unwelcome pests that can enter your home. Not only are they unpleasant and able to inflict property damage, but they are also known carriers of a variety of diseases that can infect humans. Rodents often enter a home looking for food and a suitable location for their nests. Once inside, one or a few rodents can quickly multiply into an infestation. That’s why it’s important to know how to keep mice and rats out of your home. 

So, let’s talk about some of the reasons rodents come into homes and how to make your home as unattractive as possible to them.

How to Prevent Rodents from Invading Your Home

There are a few things you can do to make your home less appealing to rodents. A few easy-to-learn habits go a long way toward keeping rats and mice out of your house:

• Keep all food stored in airtight containers.
• Clean the kitchen and cabinets of any food residue.
• Pick up any and all clutter.
• Store pet foods in sealed containers.
• Secure blankets, pillows, and other fabric materials in totes.
• Get rid of unneeded paper goods or put them in sealed containers.
• Seal cracks and holes in your foundation, walls, doors, and windows.
• Make sure garbage can lids are closed tightly.

Signs You May Have Rodents

If you’re like many homeowners, the mere thought of rodents scurrying around your house can send shivers down your spine. The good news is that being vigilant about the signs of a potential rodent infestation can help you take swift action to protect your home. So, what are these telltale signs? Take a deep breath and check for the following:

• Droppings: Keep an eye out for small, pellet-like droppings in your living spaces.
• Unexplained Noises: Are you hearing scratching, scampering, or gnawing sounds, especially at night?
• Chewed Wires or Furniture: Rodents have a knack for nibbling on electrical wires and wooden items.
• Nesting Materials: Discovering shredded paper or fabric in hidden corners can be a red flag.
• Gnaw Marks: Look for signs of gnawing on food packaging or other materials.
• Foul Odors: A musty, unpleasant smell can indicate their presence.

If you find any of these signs, it may indicate you have either rats or mice in your home. The first step to getting rid of them is determining whether it’s rats or mice. The next step is to call your local home pest control company, who will help you get rid of the active infestation.

Why Do I Have Rats in My House?

To prevent rodent infestations from happening, it’s important to understand why they come inside in the first place. Rats and mice enter homes in search of food, water, and shelter. If they find what they want in your home, they will attract other rodents and start breeding. This can turn into a large infestation fairly quickly. That’s why it’s important to know what rodents are looking for in your home – and how to make sure they can’t find it. 

Here are the most common possible reasons for a rodent infestation in your home:

• Access to food: Most mice and rats enter structures in search of food. They will eat almost anything but prefer grains, nuts, cereals, meat, and pet food. They may invade your pantry looking for crumbs and will chew through boxes and bags to get to the food.
• Availability of nesting materials: Mice and rats like to shred old paper products and fabrics to create their nests.
• Warmth: When the weather starts to get colder, mice and rats will enter your home looking for a warm place to build their nest.
• Clutter: Rodents do not like to feel exposed in the open. If your home has a lot of clutter, you are providing them with a perfect place to hide and nest.
• Cracks or holes in your home: Rodents can enter through even the smallest hole or crack in your foundation, walls, windows, or doors. This allows them to come and go as they please.

Keeping Mice and Rats Out for Good

Ensuring your home is mouse and rat-free should be a top priority for any homeowner. Mice and rats are vectors for over 35 diseases that they can bring into your home, impacting your loved ones’ health. They can also cause damage to your home resulting in costly repairs. Most big box stores will sell traps and poisons to help rid your home of rodents. Without the help of a professional, these traps and poisons can pose a risk to both your children and pets and are unable to target and eliminate rodent nests like a skilled rodent terminator would be able to. 

At Rocket Pest, we are committed to keeping your family and pets safe while getting rodents out of your home. Our technicians can draw on over 65 years of experience in the pest industry to ensure that your home is pest-free. Contact us today for a free quote and expert rodent prevention tips!