How to Keep Rodents Out of Your House

The first thing you should know about mice and rats is they enter your property looking for resources – and they’ll gladly stay if you give them a reason. For example, if they find they have easy access to food, water, or somewhere to sleep safely, they’re not going to want to leave.

What Is Rodent Exclusion?

Rodent exclusion is the technical term for repairing and sealing up your home so rodents can’t get inside. It may sound easy, but it takes a mouse a hole about the size of a nickel (¼” inch diameter) to squeeze into your house. It takes a keen eye to know what to look for, and tiny cracks often get overlooked.

Why Is Rodent Exclusion Important?

Not only is rodent exclusion faster and cheaper than treating an infestation, it’s also more environmentally responsible. When done right, rodent exclusion is also 100% effective – when there’s no way for them to get inside, an infestation is physically impossible.

We recommend investing some time and effort into rodent exclusion and prevention regularly. With the changing seasons, inspect your property for vulnerabilities that could lead to an infestation. For best results, consider working with an experienced rodent control expert.

How to Keep Rats and Mice Away

Rats are always on the lookout for areas where they can easily survive. If your property checks all the boxes, rodents may settle in before too long. Exclusion is a great first step, but there are some other things you can do to make your space less hospitable. 

To keep rats or mice out of your home or business, try following these tips:

• Fix any plumbing leaks and eliminate excess moisture so rodents can’t hydrate.
• Store any opened food items in airtight containers.
• Reduce clutter to cut down on potential nesting material.
• Secure trash. Rats and mice can eat all sorts of items, from fruit and seeds to trash and meat. If you leave any of that out in the open, it’s like a buffet for rodents. Make sure you quickly dispose of trash in lidded bins and store leftovers in airtight containers. 

What Attracts Rodents?

Food and garbage are most likely to attract rodents. Rodents have a keen sense of smell and food and garbage tend to be very pungent. This combination means that food and garbage can attract rodents from far away.

What Do Rats and Mice Eat?

Rats and mice are scavengers that will eat just about anything they can easily access. From trash on the sidewalk to crumbs in the sink, it doesn’t take much to keep them coming back for more. 

• Rats prefer more calorie-dense items like meat, grease, pet food, cheese, and garbage. 
• Mice are omnivores drawn to grains, vegetables, fruits, and seeds. 

Do Mouse Repellents Work?

Rodent repellents can have a minor effect on your rodent prevention initiatives. For example, if a rodent is scouting for food and is trying to decide where to look next, a repellent might convince the rodent to go elsewhere. However, if you have an active infestation with many rodents, repellent isn’t likely to have a major effect. If rodents have found food, shelter, and water on your property, they’re unlikely to give that up just because of a little repellent.

That’s not to say that rodent repellents don’t have their place. If you have an exclusion plan based on the techniques listed above, rodent repellent can certainly help bolster it. However, we recommend starting with exclusion techniques by themselves and adding in repellent once you’ve established how they work.

Keep Rodents Out of Your Home or Business

Whether you live or work in Georgia, rodents are the last thing you want to find scurrying about. If you’ve tried DIY methods but are still struggling with rats or mice, it may be time to reach out to a professional. That’s where Active Pest Control can help! With over 40 years of experience serving Georgia, our highly trained team knows how to pinpoint and treat the root cause of your infestation. We’ll help you get rid of rodents as quickly as possible. To learn more or get started, give us a call today!