Many people harbor an almost irrational fear of rodents, stemming no doubt from long-ago times, when wildlife was way more of a threat to human beings than it is now. Still, even to the most tolerant homeowners, a rat isn’t the nicest of house guests. But what can you do to deter the local rodent population from inviting itself into the house?
Reorganize your food storage
The first and most important step you can take to deter rodents (and any other wildlife, really) from bothering you is to consider what’s attracting them. Rats aren’t flocking to your home because of the nice wall paint. They’re coming because there’s food.
What may shock many homeowners is the realization that their home isn’t nearly as neat and tidy as they like to think. Many of us have this mistaken idea that wildlife only shows up in excessively filthy homes. But that’s wrong. In truth, even a smattering of crumbs on the kitchen floor is enough to attract pests and some rodents.
But by far the biggest culprit is improperly stored food. These can refer to raw ingredients that are in easy-to-open lids in your pantry. These can also refer to your trash cans, as they also contain edibles.
In order to deter rodent populations, you need to step up your food storage. For your kitchen, you want to invest in airtight, sealable containers. For your trash, sealable cans are also a worthy investment, otherwise they may attract predators even larger than a mouse, and you surely don’t want that.
Speaking of cleaning, do it.
Once again, if you discover a mouse in your house, it doesn’t automatically mean your home is filthy. Just that crumbs, spills, and other common mishaps may accumulate at a faster-rate than you expected.
If rodents are a concern for you, it may be time to step up your cleaning regimen. That doesn’t have to mean a complex, full-house cleaning every week. That would be overkill. But you do want to pay special attention to the kitchen (the single most attractive room for a rodent), and any other areas of the house where you might eat or drink, such as the dining room or the living room.
This is also why, in order to deter rodent infestations, it’s recommended to limit the rooms of the house where you eat and drink (other than water).
Use household rodent repellents
Rodents, like many other wild animals, are known for their keen sense of smell. And you can use that to your advantage. While rodents are crazy about a wide range of food stuffs and edibles, they have a deep dislike of any strong-scented ingredient.
Cloves, peppermint, pepper, and lemongrass are all considered natural rodent repellents, thanks to their deeply pungent smell.
How can you use them, though?
You may sprinkle peppermint or cloves near potential entry points (near the walls, and doors of the house). However, this is a limited-use method, since you’ll need to reapply the repellent regularly, lest it wears off.
A better option is to plant these directly in your yard. The scent will mark your property as undesirable for rodents, and will prevent them even getting to the house itself.
Find the openings and seal them promptly
What better way to repel nuisance rodents, than by blocking their entry points? The truth is, your home is prey to natural wear and tear over time. Even the smallest cracks or holes in the wall or roof can provide easy access to a small mouse or rat. Which is why you want to regularly inspect the entire house for such entry points.
If you do find one, be prepared to seal it immediately, using something like chicken wire mesh, or expandable foam. Simply blocking any potential doorway can go a long way in preventing a full-blown infestation.
If you’re feeling out of your depth, ask a professional rodent removal company for assistance. They will inspect the home, and identify what’s attracting rodents, in the first place. They will not only remove any attractions (and rodents), but will also advise you on how to avoid rodent infestations in the future, thus offering a well-rounded, and long-term service.
