Tips for Rodent Control

September 6, 2019

Sharing a home with mice and other rodents is something that no homeowner wants to do. They can inhabit any room in your home and need very little space to travel or survive. In fact, mice can come into your home through openings the size of a nickel. Once inside, a sighting can cause alarm, but they do more damage than that. They can chew through electrical wires as well as carry bacteria and contaminate your home. Luckily, there are many ways you can combat rodent problems on your own, and professional rodent control in central Illinois can also help. Follow these steps to eliminate these pests:

  • Insulate your home: The best thing you can do to keep mice and other rodents under control in central Illinois is to keep them out of your home to begin with. Install door sweeps on exterior doors and make sure to repair damaged screens on windows and doors. You may also want to install screens on vents and openings to your chimney, if applicable. Of course, if you have any holes or cracks on the outside of your home, such as where utilities and pipes enter the house, you’ll want to seal these as well, as they can be doorways for rodents to enter. Use caulk or steel wool to fill exterior cracks and holes. Make sure you replace any loose mortar or weather-stripping as well, especially around the basement foundation and windows.
  • Watch humidity and moisture: Moisture can attract rodents, so make sure to keep the humidity in your home low and deal with moisture appropriately. Keep attics, basements and other crawl spaces well ventilated so they are kept dry and do not harbor excess moisture. Plus, make sure you fix any leaking pipes or clogged drains, as well as any other sites of potential moisture accumulation, which provide ideal breeding sites for rodents.
  • Eliminate potential food sources: You can also improve rodent control in central Illinois by making sure that mice and other rodents don’t have access to any food sources inside your home. Store food in airtight containers so curious mice cannot smell or get to food. You may also want to put away any pets’ food at night in airtight containers instead of leaving it out on the floor. Take out garbage regularly, and make sure any perishable garbage is removed from the home immediately.
  • Don’t be a good host: Try to make your home an unattractive option for mice and rodents by removing their preferred habitats from around your home, such as firewood and shrubbery. Make sure piles of firewood are at least 20 feet away from the home, and trim shrubbery back away from the house as well. Make sure to also inspect any items that you’re bringing into your home, such as packages that were left on your front porch, grocery bags and other boxes that could be harboring mice.

Crist Termite and Pest Solutions, Inc. can eliminate infestations and protect your home from unwanted guests. If you need help with rodent control in central Illinois, give us a call today to schedule an inspection.

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