4 Ways You're Actually Encouraging Rats and Mice to Enter Your Home

Posted on 2019-05-15

You would never knowingly invite rats or mice into your home. But, millions of people accidentally do it every single day.

Rodents seek out certain situations. If your home offers one of those situations, they will not hesitate to set up shop and try to make it their home too.

Once it happens, it’s time to call the exterminator. But, before you get to that point, try to prevent an infestation by making sure you’re not doing any of these things to attract new houseguests.

1. Dirty Floors and Counters

People set mousetraps using food items like peanut butter, honey or molasses because these things attract rodents. So, it stands to reason that rodents will also be attracted if you leave trace amounts of these things on your kitchen counters or floors.

Their instincts are very basic: Go where the food is. If you’re accidentally providing a buffet on your floors or counters by not always having the time to clean up, you may see rodents.

2. Garbage

Maybe you’re doing a great job of sweeping floors and wiping down counters. But you’re just as likely to get mice if you’re not careful of how you dispose of your garbage.

It makes no difference to a rodent where it gets its food. It doesn’t care if it’s off your kitchen floor or gnawing through a garbage bag in your garage. And they’re not always after food. Discarded dental floss and cotton swabs make for great nesting materials.

If you’re storing your garbage inside in the basement or garage until garbage day, make sure you have a nice, sealable garbage can. Also, keep it as clean as possible and give it a hose-down when things start to collect on the inside or outside.

3. Waiting Too Long to Take Action

If you see a mouse or rat, call an exterminator immediately.

It’s not a matter of if there will be more, it’s a matter of when. This is not a problem that goes away on its own. It only multiplies and gets more difficult to fix.

So don’t wait. Call in pest control as soon as you see the first pest.

4. Nooks and Crannies

This is a real challenge to stay on top of. Mice can squeeze through remarkably small spaces, so it can be hard to find where they’re getting access to your home.

Rule of thumb: If you think it’s even possible mice are getting through that small hole or crack, they are. Seal it up with caulk or steel wool.

Call the Professionals at the First Signs of Infestation

We are the areas fastest and most trusted exterminators, serving areas such as Collingwood and the Blue Mountains, Owen Sound, Creemore, Alliston, Barrie, and Orangeville.

You can reach us by calling 705-888-0029 or by clicking here.