Rain may make flowers grow and crops more plentiful, but it also can play a significant role in bringing rodents indoors. A mild winter with temperatures at a national average of 500, in addition to heavy rainfall, may increase rodent populations.
To help prevent rats and mice from taking over your home, national home improvement expert Lou Manfredini, a.k.a. "Mr. Fix-It," suggests that homeowners take these simple steps to prevent rodent infestation:
- Keep a clean house-Wash dishes and cooking utensils immediately after use. Dispose of any trash and clutter.
- Store food and water properly-Keep all food, water and garbage in metal or thick plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. Never leave food or water out overnight, even for your pets.
- Keep the areas surrounding your home well maintained-Trim bushes, hedges and plant debris away from your home's foundation to avoid rodent nesting.
- Seal up potential entrances-Mice can squeeze through spaces as small as a dime, so it is wise to seal up potential entrances to your home with sheet metal, steel wool or cement. Pay particular attention to spaces around pipes, vents and ducts.
- Remove items that are potential nesting sites-Remove stacks of newspapers, cardboard boxes, firewood, lumber and building supplies from shelves and floors.
- Use rodenticides-Keep a supply of d-CON® Rodenticides on hand and use regularly to help prevent a small rodent problem from becoming an infestation. Setting baits and traps simultaneously in the home will ensure better control of the problem.
To help keep mice and rats in check, never leave food or water out overnight, even for your pets.
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