It’s never a pleasant feeling when you see a rodent run across the floor of your kitchen or living area. Your first reaction will probably be one of shock before you panic about what they may do to you. In fact, some people won’t even stay in their home until they have got a pest control expert in to sort out the issue.

When you realize the number of different diseases that rodents can carry you may even share their sentiments:

  • Salmonemmosis
  • Leptospirosis
  • Plague
  • Tularemia
  • Viral meningitis

These are just a few of the 35 diseases they are known to carry.

Keeping Them Out Of Your Home

It is far better to prevent the pests from entering than it is to have to deal with their infestation. In fact, there are several easy steps you can take to help keep rodents out of your home:

Deny Them Food & Water

The first step is to make sure all your food is stored in sealed containers, especially after you’ve opened a packet of any sort. This will prevent the rodents from being able to get to it.

You also need to keep your countertops and other surfaces clean. Even the smallest amount of crumbs can attract the rodents.

In addition rodents need water to survive, any source of water will do. Make sure pet drinking bowls and food bowls are picked up overnight and you don’t have any dripping taps. Water bowls should be emptied and food bowls sealed away, if you’re leaving food in them.

It is also a good idea to make sure your pet food is transferred into a sealed container; the bags it usually arrives in can be easily chewed through by a rodent.

 

Seal Up Cracks

Rodents can enter your home through the smallest of cracks. You need to inspect the outside of your home for any potential entry points and then seal them up as quickly as possible. Pay particular attention to round doors and windows. It’s a good idea to get a professional firm to do an inspection for you; you can find out more here.

To really appreciate the importance of this step you need to appreciate that a mouse can walk on a thin wire or squeeze through any opening the size of a ballpoint pen; or wider.

 

Clutter

Lots of things stacked against your house can encourage rodents to get near your home; they will have less risk of being spotted by predators. The easier it is to get to your home the easier they’ll find it to locate a way inside and set up their nest.

You need to get rid of any unnecessary items in your yard; especially if they are against your house.

It is also a good idea to look at the space inside your home. Any clutter will present a home to a rodent; especially if this is in a basement or other area that is not used frequently.