Rodent Control in the Winter

It is true to say that the best type of pest control is the preventative kind; if we take proactive steps now to prevent pests, we will not experience problems in the future. This proves most true when it comes to rodents. Now that fall is here, and winter is not far behind, rodent activity tends to pick up. Mice can not only spread disease through the Hantavirus, but they can cause damage to your home by chewing on wood, electrical wires, or drywall. Below, we’ll look at some easy steps that can prevent rodent infestation in your home this season. You’ll want to keep in mind that mice can enter a hole the size of a dime and rats can enter a hole that is the size of a quarter. That being said, the first thing you will want to do is make sure to seal up all access points. Smaller holes and cracks can be sealed up using caulking, and bigger holes can be sealed using a steel wool, as this is harder for rodents to chew through. Another thing to keep in mind is that mice are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. Therefore, you will want to make sure to keep any doors to the home or garage closed just before dusk and slightly after dawn to ensure mice do not gain entrance into your home that way. It is also a good idea to put blocking screens in your attic or chimney entrances. Mice tend to go where there is food, so make sure to cut-off all feeding sources. If you have a pet, make sure that you have the food up where a mouse cannot access it. Keep food in the kitchen in Tupperware containers with sealed lids. If you restrict the mice from easily accessing that food, then they will be more likely to go for the bait that you have set in the traps. If rodents do end up finding a way into your home this season, you will need to set some traps. You want to check and re-set traps depending on the severity of the infestation. Remember, no mice activity is a good thing. If you have a more serious case, you will want to set more traps and check them more consistently until the problem has totally disappeared. If you would like to learn about the services we can offer to keep your home rodent-free this winter, please call your local Senske Services to speak with one of our representatives about rodent control.