If you’ve been unlucky and have come to the disturbing realization that you have a rodent problem in the house – such as mice or rats – try not to stress out. Getting rid of mice or rats is actually not that hard if you know what to do. Here are some tips you can use starting now, to begin the process of evicting them from your home once and for all.
1. Be clear on why you need to be rid of them
Knowing why you need to get rid of these pests is very important because, without that knowledge, you may make the mistake of giving up on the rodent eviction process, or deciding from the start to just “live and let live”. And many animal lovers have been known to think of these little creatures as cute and adorable, thinking only one or two of them hanging around is okay. But if these rodents breed (and they probably will), things can go from “okay” to disaster in a matter of months as two turn into hundreds.
So with that in mind, here are three more big reasons why you need to get rid of any mice or rats living in your home asap:
1. these 4-legged rodents can carry disease (for example, hantavirus) that can be spread to the humans in your household
2. they can chew through the wiring in your walls, causing your home to be at an increased risk for fire and the danger that goes along with it
3. they can damage your insulation or even your prized pieces of furniture by gnawing through the soft materials to make themselves a cozy nest inside
2. Make sure you deny them access to food sources on your property
Don’t allow them to gain access to any food sources on your property. Seal garbage cans well. Use rodent-proof food storage containers in your kitchen (for example, plastic bags or cardboard boxes won’t cut it since rodents will gnaw right through it).
3. Next, gather intel on their habits and favoured travel routes used on the premises
To do an effective job of getting rid of rodents in your home, you need to know what routes they’re using to enter and exit so you can block them off. Keep in mind that many mice can squeeze into an opening that’s as small as anything you can fit a #2 pencil through (or a little over 1/2 a centimeter). The smallest rats are a bit bigger than the tinest mice, but not by much. Luckily, if you can keep mice out, your strategies will by default keep the rats out too.
Do a walk around your home and take note of any places where the foundation is cracked, holes are present (even small ones!), weather stripping is missing, or caulking around windows or doors has gaps. Look for holes in shingles and soffits. Also, double check to make sure the door sweeps on all exterior doors fit snugly against the floor. If you notice any defects in the any of the above, fix them promptly by sealing up those gaps and holes!
4. Use traps to catch any rodents trapped in your home
Set some traps in your home to catch the mice that you’ve trapped inside after sealing off all of their exterior entry points. If you have a lot of mice outside, you may also want to set traps there as well – but if you do, take care not to use traps that can cause injury to kids, pets, or other wildlife.
You CAN be successful at getting rid of rats or mice
The above do-it-yourself tips are the keys to successfully getting rid of rodents in your home. And remember, if you need help or don’t have the time to do this on your own, you can always call a professional!
Have a rodents in your house and need these mice or rates exterminated? If you’re in Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton or the surrounding area call Halton Wildlife Services today for a quote!
