How to Get Rid of Rodents in Autumn Season

Colder weather is on its way. That means that rats and mice and other pests will be coming inside, seeking out warmth, food, and water to sustain them over the winter. Whether you are trying to prevent rodents or tackling a small rodent problem, here are some of our top tips for DIY rodent control.

Exclusion

The most important step you can take is to keep rodents from entering your home. Excluding them means that they cannot get inside. Even if you already have rodents in your house, exclusion is important. It may trap current rodents in the house, but it keeps you from getting more of them.

How do you exclude rodents? This is where it is so important to think small. Rodents can enter into much smaller spaces than you imagine. They can squeeze under doors without weatherstripping. They can enter into tiny coin-sized holes in your exterior. They can shimmy up pipes or vents. So, you want to close up all access points to your home.

Deterrence

Rodents need food, water, and shelter. There is no way for you to get rid of all potential shelters in your home. However, if you have junk piled up around your home, it makes a great living space for rodents. So, get rid of any extra things you do not need. If you must store stuff around your home, put it in lockable, durable containers. Many people use plastic tubs to store their things. However, rodents can easily eat through lighter plastic materials, so make sure and use heavy-duty storage.

You also want to get rid of any sources of food and water. If you have water leaks, get them fixed. Water attracts rodents and other pests. Store all food, including pet food, in closed, rodent-proof containers. Clean up your counters and wash all dishes each night. Clean up crumbs around your home and limit food to certain rooms.

Look for Signs

If you are paying attention, you should see signs of rodents before you ever see a rodent. You should be on the lookout for

• Chew marks
• Missing food or pet food
• Greasy marks on walls
• Holes or burrows
• Pathways through vegetation or yards
• Droppings
• Funny smells

Take Action Immediately

If you notice signs of rodents or see a rodent, you need to take immediate action. If you see one rodent, you almost certainly have more of them. So, you want to take efforts to trap the rodent. For DIY rodent control, you can choose humane traps, snap-traps, electronic traps, and even rodenticides. You can also contact Flick for professional pest control services.