If you’ve got a rodent problem, just being in your home will feel unnerving.
Over 21 million American homes have a rodent infestation every year. If you encounter rodents in your home, it’s important to act fast before they can do any serious damage.
Depending on the rodent problem, you could be looking at thousands of dollars in repairs if it’s not handled properly. Fortunately, that’s what we’re here to tell you about.
In this post, we’re going to tell you how to handle a rodent infestation in your home the right way. The sooner you deal with your rodent issues, the sooner you can return to the comforts of a pest-free home.
Get Rid of Entry Points
The first thing you need to do is inspect your home for rodent entry points. If you can identify the places where they’re coming and going, you can start to seal them off. This prevents more from coming in and makes the infestation worse.
Common entry points on the outside of the house include damaged drains, garage door cracks, and gaps around the foundation. Inside the house, look at the appliance lines, vents, and drains. Seal up anything larger than a pencil, as rodents are able to squeeze into tiny spaces.
Clean Your Home
Next, eliminate the hiding spots. Give your house a thorough cleaning, removing any clutter and pulling furniture away from the walls.
Rats and mice love hiding behind things and sneaking out when they don’t think anyone’s around. If you can get rid of the hiding spots, it’ll be easier to get rid of them in a humane way.
Set Traps
Rodent traps aren’t for everyone. It’s not the rodent’s fault that it’s in your home, but you don’t want to give them an open invitation. You can get humane traps that allow you to release them back outside, but there’s always a chance that they’ll come back in if you haven’t sealed entry points.
Get Qualified Pest Management Services
Your best bet is to contact a professional pest management service to deal with your pest problem. They’ll have the expertise and equipment to deal with your rodents in an efficient manner.
A professional will offer services to tackle the problem areas and prevent infestations from becoming reoccurring events. Basement and attic cleaning services are usually the best to eliminate pests altogether.
Avoiding the Next Rodent Infestation
Once you handle your rodent infestation, the next step is to ensure that it doesn’t happen again. A professional service may take particular measures to deter rodents from entering, but there are things you can do as well.
Spray peppermint oil, black pepper, or cayenne around the exterior of your home. Rodents hate this and will avoid it at all costs, keeping them out of your home. You can also sprinkle this around the entry points within your home, and you’ll never see them again.
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