Mice and rats are more than just a nuisance—they can cause damage to your home, contaminate your food, and carry diseases that affect your health. The good news is that with a few easy steps, you can keep these unwanted guests out of your home and protect your family. Here’s a friendly guide to help you prevent mouse and rat infestations.

 

Why Preventing Rodents Matters

Rodents can gnaw through wires and wood and nest in your insulation, which might lead to costly repairs and even fire hazards. They also leave droppings and urine that can spread diseases like Salmonella and Hantavirus. Plus, they contaminate food and surfaces, creating health risks. So, stopping them before they get inside is the best way to keep your home safe and clean.

 

How to Keep Mice and Rats Out

1. Seal Up Every Possible Entry Point

Rodents can squeeze through tiny holes, sometimes as small as a quarter of an inch. Check your home’s exterior carefully for cracks, gaps, or holes around doors, windows, vents, pipes, and where utility lines enter your home. Use galvanized steel mesh to fill holes and secure it in place with caulk or staples. Don’t forget to seal gaps in garages, sheds, and outbuildings, too.

 

2. Keep Food and Water Sources Out of Reach

Rodents enter structures looking for food, shelter and water. Store all food in airtight containers made of glass, metal, or thick plastic. This includes pet food—never leave it out overnight, and keep it sealed when not in use. Clean up crumbs, spills, and dirty dishes immediately. Use garbage cans with tight-fitting lids and empty them regularly. Outside, keep compost bins away from your house and use metal or plastic containers for animal feed and birdseed. Any exterior food sources can act as an invitation for rodents to make their home inside your home.

 

3. Maintain a Clean and Tidy Home and Yard

Clutter and debris give rodents places to hide and nest. Inside your home, keep storage areas organized and off the floor. Outside, trim bushes and trees so they don’t touch your house, and keep grass well-mowed. Remove piles of leaves, brush, and firewood from near your home, storing firewood at least 20 feet away and raised off the ground. Clean outdoor cooking areas and grills regularly to avoid attracting rodents. We also recommend not feeding birds or other wildlife.

 

4. Eliminate Water Sources

Rodents need water to survive. Fix any leaks in pipes, faucets, or irrigation systems. Make sure gutters and downspouts drain properly and don’t leave standing water near your foundation. Bring pet water bowls inside overnight to remove easy water sources.

 

5. Use Appropriate Control Measures

Aside from modifying the environment so as to not attract rodents to your home, we also recommend setting traps in appropriate areas like crawlspaces, attics, garages, or unfinished basements. Rodents tend to travel along walls and pipes so placement in these areas can speed up the control process before they multiply. Tamper-resistant bait stations placed around your home’s perimeter are another effective option.

 

When to Call the Professionals

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, rodents find a way in or have already made a home inside. That’s when it’s smart to call in experts who know how to handle infestations safely and thoroughly.

Rambo Total Pest Control offers reliable and effective pest management services throughout Western Washington. Their team provides clear communication and expert service from the first call to the final follow-up. They don’t rely on scare tactics but focus on educating clients about pests and their habits. If needed, Rambo will provide additional treatments at no extra cost until the problem is resolved. You can trust them to get rid of your rodent problem and keep it from coming back.

 

Contact Rambo Total Pest Control

If you need help preventing or dealing with mice and rats, Rambo Total Pest Control is ready to assist you.

 

You can also visit their website at rambopest.com to learn more or schedule a service.

By following these simple tips and working with trusted professionals like Rambo Total Pest Control, you can keep your home safe, clean, and free from mice and rats. Don’t wait until you hear scratching in the walls or find droppings—start protecting your home today!

 

 

Sources: cdc.gov, rambopest.com
Header Image Source: environet.com.ph