Finding Where Rodents Enter And Nest In Your Home
With winter approaching, the chances of rodents entering your home is fairly high. Rodents look for a place that is safe from predators, that is warm, and that has food nearby. Mice and rats reach their peak breeding in the fall, so young adults, in particular, are expanding out and trying to find their own place. Finding where they hide in your home can be a challenge as rodents are experts at evading detection. Here are some ways you can tell that a rodent has invaded your home and how to find their hiding spots so you can get them evicted.
Signs of Rodents in Your Home
The most common signs that your home is infested is that you see their droppings scattered around. These droppings are usually small and cigar-shaped, and the rodents drop them as they move around the room. You may also see small amounts of urine nearby. Rats and mice also chew into plastic bags, boxes, and containers that have food, so you'll see their chew marks on these packages.
Ways Rodents Enter Your Home
Rodents can squeeze into incredibly small spaces. If you have any gaps in a door or window, mice and rats will likely squeeze right on through. They will also push through the gaps around pipes and utility lines and even cracks in your foundation. If the existing hole is too small for them, they will attempt to gnaw it to a larger size if possible.
Favorite Hiding Places for Rodents
Rodents like to make their nests in areas where there is almost no human activity. Usually, this means your attic, basement, inside the walls, and under appliances. They have a preference for places with a lot of boxes and clutter because that offers a lot of opportunities to hide. If you don't use a particular room that often, then they may choose somewhere in there as a nesting area.
Keeping Rodents out of Your Home
The most important thing you can do to prevent a rodent infestation is by making your home less attractive. This means cleaning up spilled food, putting pet food in rodent-resistant containers, and keeping boxes off the floor, especially in your basement or attic. Make sure that you also check for any places where rodents can enter your home.
You don't want rodents in your home as they are known to carry diseases that can make you and your family seriously ill. If you find a nest or come across a rodent, do not touch it as there could be bacteria or viruses that could threaten your health. Instead, contact a home pest control services company and have them tackle the problem for you.
