Once you get rid of rodents, you must use preventative rodent control to keep them from coming back into your home. Rodents look for a warm, dry place during the cooler months, and when the spring rains come. Rodents are a health nuisance, and they cause property damage. Removing them doesn’t keep new rodents from coming in. You have to seal your home, plus remove temptations such as food and water.
Rodent Control Methods
In general, three types of rodents live in areas where humans live: Roof rats, also known as tree rats; Norway rats, also known as sewer rats; and the house mouse. When you see signs of rodent activity, you most likely already have a rodent infestation and need to implement rodent control methods in addition to eradicating these pests.
To get rid of these pests, you can trap them or put poison out for them. Be careful with poison if you have pets and children. If a mouse drags a block of poison around, they could get to it. Once you get rid of the rodents, you need to take steps to implement rodent control.
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Make sure there is no accessible food and water. Pick up pet water and food bowls. If you free-feed, stop doing that. Leaving a bowl of pet food out all day attracts pests. Make sure any food you have in your cabinets or pantry is in hard plastic containers. They’ll chew through cardboard and light plastic.
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Pick up food sources outside, such as birdseed, ripe fruit and fruit that fell to the ground.
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Store pet food in metal or hard plastic containers that have lids that fit tightly.
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Keep piles of wood, old tires, and even rock away from the house.
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Only store food in the garage if it’s in a metal or hard plastic container.
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Mice love pet feces and snails. Control the snails and always pick up after your pets.
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Make sure your trash cans have lids that fit tightly.
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Repair any leaky pipes, whether inside or outside.
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Trim any bushes and trees so that they are not touching your home. They should be at least four feet away from your home.
You can use several rodent control products, including snap traps, rodenticides and rat poison to help control rodents in my home.
Rodent Infestation Cleanup
When you see signs of rodents, you should clean up the infestation evidence, even if you haven’t eradicated the pests yet. Rodent infestation cleanup should be an ongoing thing until you know you have eradicated them since the urine and droppings could get you sick.
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Clean up urine and droppings. Make sure you use gloves while cleaning. Use a disinfectant to clean the area.
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Once you pick up any droppings, mop the floors and clean the countertops using bleach and water or a disinfectant.
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If any clothing or bedding was exposed to rodent urine or droppings, wash it in hot water.
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Pick up dead rodents only when wearing gloves.
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If you find a nest, spray the nest with disinfectant.
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Place any nesting materials and dead rodents in sealable plastic bags and discard them in the trash that is regularly emptied.
Contact H&H Pest Control and Waterproofing
If you have rodents and are having a hard time controlling them, contact H&H Pest Control and Waterproofing to make an appointment for use to come out and help you with preventative control and eradication.
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