Rodents are known to be sneaky and cunning, so they can make their way into your home despite your best efforts to keep them away. This usually happens because you might be relying on getting rid of a rat or mouse infestation, instead of preventing them. The good news is that they don’t stay hidden for long. So if you ever notice any of the following signs in your home, know that you have those unwanted guests, get rid of them fast and protect against them for good.

Look Out for Rodent Grease Marks

Rodents can go through small entrances like a quarter of an inch in size. As they go through, they usually leave greasy marks behind due to oil and dirt in their coats. Rodents also leave grease marks along tile floors, wood baseboards and dishes as they go round the same route over and over again. Get your pest control agent to help get rid of them fast. 

Don’t Forget to Keep an Eye Out for Droppings (poop)

Rodents often produce tons of droppings wherever they are, so it’s easy to spot if you have them in your home. Look for the signs of rodent droppings in kitchen cabinets, cupboards, pantries, drawers, and anywhere else you know they might look for food. If you notice small, dark pellets anywhere in your home, contact a rodent exterminator to look for them before they start reproducing.

Look Out for Scratches and Squeaking Noise

Despite being incredibly sneaky and cunning and irritating as well, rodents aren’t the quietest pests in the world. If you have them in your home, you are bound to hear squeaks, swishing, and scampering sounds as they move into your home and find a place to hide. Rats or mice are most active at night, so pay attention to unusual sounds at night as you are likely to see them moving around. 

So you know the signs of an infestation. It is time to learn how you can protect your home. Check out these step by step guide to protecting your home from rodents; 

• The first step to keeping pets at bay is to carry out a thorough inspection

Look for any signs of droppings or urine. This can be done using a UV (black-light) flashlight, which will help locate any area where the rat or mouse may have gone through. 

• Inspect foundation all the way around your home

Look for cracks, or hole whether small or big holes and have them fixed. Just in case these holes are 1/2” or smaller, Copper mesh can be used to repair.

• Inspect all doors, their frames, windows and window frames

Replace or repair any weather stripping that is not tight enough. Replace any broken window panes, damaged window or door screens. Repair any hole or crack around frames that are smaller or larger. If the gnawing damage is noticed on doors, install a metal kick plate to prevent any more gnawing.

• Inspect all nearby trees and hedges around your home

Any tree branches or bushes that grow too close to the house should be cut down to prevent rodent from using them as a gateway out and into the house. Ensure to keep the grass short, trim the bottom of hedges to expose soil beneath and eliminate rodent harborage areas.

• Carry out a regular inspection of your roof

Check roof vent screens and ventilation to be sure they are secure and damage free, replace or repair if necessary. Ensure that your chimney is properly closed to prevent easy access to your home.

• Look at all utility entry points and inspect regularly

Places where utilities enter the home can be an easy entry point for rodents. Ensure that any crack or hole that’s larger than ¼” around the wire, cable or pipe be sealed using Stuff-Fit Copper Mesh, hardware cloth, and mortar or sheet.

• Homes made of block or brick can have an easy access point for rodents because it is easy for them to climb. To prevent rats or mouse from coming in, use 12” band pipes with high gloss paint all the way around your structure. 

• Also, pipes that run vertically up structures can be utilized by rats or mouse as a direct gateway onto and into your home. You can use a 12” band around the pipe that is at least 3 feet above the ground level using a high gloss paint to prevent rodents from climbing and coming in or, you can place metal rodent bouncer around the pipe.

• Always keep your food and water sources properly closed when not in use 

If you have pets, feed them in the morning and remove any leftover food immediately. Discover and fix all leaking pipes as well as pipes drains. Always keep your bird feeders properly to prevent bird seed from serving as a food source for rodents.

• Use a strong bleach solution to clean any rodent dropping or urine found during your inspection. Take out time and check for other entry points to get rid of any odor left behind that may attract possible rodents. Make sure to wear a fitting protective glove and a good respirator so you don’t have to breath in any awful smell. 

With luck, you will minimize the possibility of a rodent infestation in your home.   Call Alliance Pest Services for all your pest control needs.