Rodents try to get inside houses for a variety of reasons. When the weather gets cold, they seek out shelter and warmth. They are adept at squeezing themselves through tiny holes to enter human dwellings. Blocking their entry points can keep them out, but it’s essential to also have pest control professionals eliminate the rodent population on your property.
As the weather turns colder, rodents such as rats and mice seek shelter so that they aren’t exposed to the elements. It’s important to know how these pests get into homes so that you can prevent them from infesting your own home. If you have already noticed signs of rodent infestation, fast action is crucial. Independent Pest Solutions provides Puyallup rodent pest control services and can make sure that the rodents don’t come back again.
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Why do rats and mice want to come inside human houses?
There are multiple reasons why rodents seek shelter inside buildings during the fall and winter.
- Food sources. When it gets colder outside, there are fewer food resources available for rats and mice. Rodents may come into houses to gain access to food.
- Water sources. Cold weather can cause water sources to freeze, leaving rodents with less drinking water. They may seek out water in homes.
- Shelter. Obviously, as the weather gets harsher, it becomes more difficult to live outside. To avoid the cold, rats, mice, and other types of pests often enter houses and other buildings.
- Nesting materials. Rodents can use materials they find in houses to build nests, such as fabric, paper, tissues, insulation, and more.
Nearly a quarter of American homes deal with a rodent infestation during the winter.
Now that you know why rodents enter homes, let’s go over the potential entry points they may use.
- Rats can fit through anything that their skulls can fit through, which means holes the size of a dime. Mice can squeeze through even smaller holes.
- Holes and gaps could be ones meant for cables or pipes, or around doors and windows.
- If there isn’t a hole already, rodents can chew through wood and other materials to make their own entry point. They have strong, sharp teeth for gnawing.
- Rodents can use attic and crawlspace vents to get into houses.
- Rodents can come through windows by jumping from nearby tree branches or climbing up walls, vines, or downspouts.
- Mice and rats can also hitch a ride on grocery bags, firewood, boxes, furniture, and other items being taken into the home.
- If you leave your doors or windows open, rodents can simply walk right in.
How to Block Rodent Entry Points
- Fill in or seal gaps with durable, long-lasting products.
- Keep doors and windows closed when not in use, or install a screen.
- Inspect door and window frames to make sure that there are no gaps.
- Keep tree branches trimmed away from the house.
- Install screens on vents that rodents could squeeze through.
- Ensure that door sweeps are functional and not degraded.
After dealing with your pest problem, Independent Pest Solutions will take steps to make sure that the infestation doesn’t return. We will perform a full cleanout and seal potential entry points for you, so you won’t have to worry. This is an important part of proper pest control.
What are some other ways I can keep rats and mice away?
-Keep your house clean. Rodents are attracted to mess.
-Store food properly and don’t leave food mess out, including crumbs.
-Keep your yard free of debris that could harbor rodents.
-Put lids on outdoor trash cans and keep firewood stacked away from the house.
What Threats Do Rodents Pose?
Rats and mice are more than just common nuisances. They pose many problems.
- Rodents can contaminate food sources, making them unsafe for human consumption.
- Rats and mice can cause structural and electrical damage by chewing through wiring, insulation, furniture, walls, and more. This damage can be extensive and costly to repair.
- Rodents can spread diseases such as Salmonella. Their droppings can even spread the deadly disease hantavirus.
Because of these serious issues, it’s important to eliminate rodent infestations as quickly as possible to minimize damage.
Getting rid of all the rats or mice on your property isn’t something that you should try to DIY. They’re not easy to eliminate on your own, which is why you need the help of professionals. Independent Pest Solutions has many years of experience in effectively handling rodent infestations.
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Our pest control experts know the ways that rodents try to get into homes. This allows us to go in and seal off entry points to keep them from coming back. The sooner you reach out to us, the less damage the rodents will cause.
Call Independent Pest Solutions today or fill out an online form if you suspect that you have a pest infestation on your hands.
Leave it to the experts! It’s in the name: Independent Pest Solutions solves pest problems.