How To Prevent A Rodent Infestation This Winter

When the colder days of winter kick in, rodents seek refuge in the nooks and crannies of your home to stay warm and cosy. But that’s the last thing you want them to do. The good news is that there are a few simple and easy housekeeping practices that can keep these unwanted invaders out of your home.

Here are some helpful tips on how to prevent a rodent infestation this winter so you and your family can stay safe and comfy without any worries:

Clean and Organize Your Garage

Rodents like rats and mice can easily get inside your garage. Garage doors are usually not open for long periods but most of the time, they don’t seal that well down to the ground. It results in gaps that small rodents can get into without much trouble. 

Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to keep your garage a rodent-free zone. Make sure you store items in tightly lidded and sealed plastic totes. Remove any cardboard boxes or paper that rodents can chew through and form their nests. Clear away garden supplies such as seed packets and bone meal that can become accessible food sources for rodents.

If you have a basement or attic, you also need to keep these areas clean and organized. Get rid of any cutter, store items in plastic containers, and eliminate piles of clothes, paper, and other stuff that might turn into potential nesting areas for pesky rodents.

Keep Your Firewood Piles Off the Ground

Do you love burning wood during winter months to keep your Dublin home toasty warm? If yes, chances are you always have a stockpile of lumber handy. Sadly, firewood happens to be one of the favourite hideouts for rats and mice.

To get rid of these areas that might be favouring rodent infestations, make sure you always keep your logs elevated from the ground for at least 18 inches. More importantly, see to it that woodpiles are also kept at a good distance away from the house.

Install a Brush Strip

Another simple trick to prevent a rodent infestation this winter is to install a brush or sweep strip on all the exterior doors in your home. Rodents will have limited access to your home if you block off the tiny gaps at the base that are quite common, especially with older doors.

To ensure a more convenient installation, see to it that you use one with an adhesive strip instead of screws. This method even offers the bonus of helping you save money during winter as it keeps the heat inside your home.

Maintain Your Landscaping

Don’t forget to maintain your landscaping even before the weather turns too cold. Be sure to trim branches hanging too close to the house because these can give rats easy and quick access to your attic or roof.

Grab the clippers and rake and start cleaning your yard. Overgrown shrubs and vegetation, weeds, piles of leaves, and other dense debris in your lawn can create the perfect haven for rodent infestations.

Getting rid of these, especially those near the foundation of your home can help eliminate potential rodent habitats during fall. Once winter comes, you don’t have to worry about any rodents living nearby that might find their way inside your home.

Remove All Clutter

Rats and mice thrive in cluttered spaces that give them lots of convenient spots for hiding, especially in those parts of your house that are not used as primary living spaces. These include garages, basements, and attics.

A quick and simple tidying will make these parts of your home less enticing for rodents. Clear out stacks of old newspapers, boxes, and other junk. Keep your floors free from piles of laundry. Boxes piled together may also invite rodents so be sure you organize your stored items and elevate them off the ground.

Repel Rodents Naturally

Rodents may be small but their sense of smell is rather astute. This is why they find powerful scents unpleasant and overwhelming. Peppermint essential oil is one of the more effective natural repellents that you can use in your home to prevent pesky rodent infestations.

Mix one cup of water with two teaspoons of peppermint essential oil. Shake the mixture and spray it all over the house, specifically around doors and under sinks to keep rodents at bay.

Just be sure to use up all the mixture or discard it after every use. Since there is no preservative, the mixture may grow bacteria after several days in the spray bottle. Of course, you don’t want to end up spraying these bacteria around your house, right?

Seal Entry Points

You must seal off all spots that can make it easier for rodents to gain entry to your home. Rats and mice are quite skilled when it comes to squeezing through even the tiniest gaps.

The general rule of thumb to follow here is to seal off openings that are bigger than ¼ inch. Inspect window screens for tears and fix them right away. Use wire mesh to close off cracks in the foundation or walls.

Examine the areas where pipes enter the house. Fill any gaps with caulk and mesh. Add a cap to your chimney if you have one. Believe it or not, rodents are great at climbing so you don’t want to take a chance here.