Rodents are among the worst pests threatening Frisco homes and businesses, wreaking havoc, destroying property, and spreading disease wherever they go. They are also an incredibly difficult pest to eliminate once they make a nest, so preventing them from getting inside in the first place is paramount.
If you don't want to face the many dangers of a rodent infestation, here are seven helpful rodent prevention tips you can start using immediately to lower your risk for rodents on your property.
1. Know The Local Rodents
It's hard to defend against an invader you know nothing about. Before you can learn how to prevent rodents, you need to know about the three most common rodent invaders. There are three rodents in Frisco that usually impact property owners: Norway rats, roof rats, and house mice.
First, there's the Norway rat. These large brown rodents typically grow to about a foot long, with distinctive black eyes and small ears, along with a long tail that roughly matches their body size. Due to their size, Norway rats characteristically avoid climbing and stay close to the ground, typically invading spaces like garages and basements when they come indoors.
Secondly, there's the roof rat. Roof rats are slightly smaller and thinner than Norway rats, with black coloration. They are adept climbers, and use their skills to climb trees in order to access the roofline of homes and buildings they infest, thus giving them their name. Naturally, they most often end up infesting attics.
Finally, there is the common house mouse. These mice are much smaller than their rat cousins, typically only growing to about 2-4 inches in length, with long legs and large ears. While they are typically brown, their color can range greatly. Like all the other rodents in the area, the house mouse depends on humans for food, and they are commonly found in kitchens and pantries of homes they infest.
2. Know What You're Avoiding
By keeping rodents out of your home, you're protecting your property from damage. Without mouse or rat prevention, your home or business could be hazardous to your health. Rodents spread numerous diseases which can make you and anyone else in your property sick, including salmonella, Tularemia, hantavirus, leptospirosis, and numerous others.
Beyond diseases, rodents also bring property damage to any building they infest. Rodents have front teeth that never stop growing, leaving them with an insatiable need to gnaw in order to wear them down. They don't have any discretion and will chew through anything they find, including building materials and electric wiring. In addition to making you need extensive repairs, rodents chewing on your wires makes your property in danger of a fire.
3. Seal Up Holes
Rodents can squeeze into gaps as small as a quarter in diameter, and if the hole doesn’t exist, they can make one. Using their strong teeth, rodents can transform even the smallest hole into an entrance point.
If you have cracks or crevices around your property, rodents may gnaw on them until those cracks become entryways. This is why it’s important to check around your property for potential openings on a regular basis. If you find any, seal them with caulk or sealant in order to make those openings inaccessible to rodents.
It's also important to check your window and door screens for holes. If you don't want mice in your lanai or patio, you should seal up holes in your screen. Having screen repair tape makes this easy.
4. Store Food In Durable Containers
For centuries, rodents have been relying on people for their food. If you don't keep your food sealed up, rats and mice will enjoy it long before you do. Their sharp teeth can cut open the packaging of your dried food, allowing them to get into your cereal and rice with minimal effort.
You can prevent this by storing your food in thick containers with lids. Plastic or glass containers are great options, as they are difficult for rodents to chew through. By using them for all your dried food, you make your property less appealing to hungry rodents.
5. Store Trash In Containers With Lids
Keep in mind that rodents have a much wider definition of “food” than humans typically do; if you don't store your trash with care, you may need pest control for your property. Your leftovers often end up in the trash, and they attract rodents.
You can prevent rodents from getting into your garbage by using trash cans with lids. Never let your trash get so full that the lid won't close. If necessary, you use multiple trash cans to store your garbage.
6. Clean Crumbs
Your pantry and garbage aren't the only places rodents can get to food. Over the course of a day, your floors, tables, and counters could each accumulate crumbs that attract rodents. For a better chance at keeping rats and mice away, clean crumbs as quickly as possible. This means sweeping and mopping your home, as well as wiping down all surfaces on a regular basis.
7. Work With Us
When it comes to rodent prevention, there's only one truly effective method. By working with a professional, you can ensure that your home remains rodent-free. The best form of rodent protection comes from working with us at Adam's Exterminating Company. Give us a call and learn more.