How to Avoid Rodents in you Home over Winter

‘Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house. Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.’ We all know the poem, but sadly, the chances of a rodent stirring in your house in winter time are pretty high. Here’s how to avoid rodents in your home over winter.

Why Rodents Head Indoors in the Winter

There are several reasons why you might get rodents in your home over winter. Once the temperature drops, mice and rats are on the lookout for warmth, shelter, and source of food. Your home provides it all. However, there are some things you can do to prevent them from getting in.

How to Avoid Rodents in Your Home

Cover Food and Clean Up Food Debris

Hungry rats and mice will be on the hunt for food. That includes uncovered food on worktops, crumbs on the floor, and pet food that’s left out. To avoid attracting rodents:

· Keep your worktops clean;

· Clean up any food debris or residue from the floor and under appliances;

· Store food in sealed containers;

· Don’t leave pet food out uncovered for too long.

Seal Up Entry Points

Mice and rats can squeeze through the tiniest of gaps. To avoid rodents getting into your home this winter, you’ll have to inspect your home for possible entry points and seal them up. This means:

· Checking windows and doors for gaps and cracks;

· Sealing any cracks in walls or foundations with wire mesh;

· Filling gaps around pipes and cables with mesh and caulk.

Install Brush Strips to Exterior Doors

One common way that rodents gain access to buildings is through gaps under doors, especially older ones. Stop them from getting in by installing a brush strip to the bottom. Not only will this keep mice and rats out, it will keep draughts out too!

Clear Away Clutter

An important thing to do if you want to avoid rodents in your home over winter, is to clear away clutter. Mice and rats love to hide out and nest in undisturbed piles of clutter in places like lofts and garages. Set aside some time to have a good clear out of things like old cardboard boxes and piles of papers.

Tidy Up Your Garden

Before the hard frosts and ice set in, get out in your garden and tidy things up. Overhanging tree branches can help rodents gain access to your roof. Overgrown shrubs and piles of leaves give them a great place to hide. As do piles of firewood. Our top tip is to store your firewood off the ground and away from your home.

Having Problems with Rodents? Call in the Professionals

If mice or rats have already found their way into your home and are causing havoc, it’s time to call in the professionals. Rodents breed fast and they can cause all kinds of problems from spreading diseases to damaging property.

Avoid having some unwanted house guests this winter by calling Contego. Our expert pest technicians can identify and treat an infestation fast and effectively so your home is your own again.

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