Whether you have mice droppings on your kitchen counter or you’ve noticed little nibbles out of your food, having rodents in your home is no picnic. These unwanted visitors can wreak havoc. Use the following guide to determine if you have rodents (and what kind), how to get rid of them and how to keep them from coming back.
Checklist for Determining if You Have Rodents
Rodents can be tricky little creatures, and you might not even realize you have them until an entire colony is living under your roof. Look for the following signs if you’re suspicious of having hidden guests lurking in the walls.
• Your dogs and cats are more anxious than usual. While human senses might not be able to pick up on the squeaks and smells of mice and rats, dogs and cats can easily decipher their presence. They might begin whining or even barking at what appears to be nothing.
• You find droppings. This is one of the most obvious signs and is a clear indicator of what you’re up against. Small, smooth and pointed pellets that are about 1/4 of an inch long are usually from mice. Rat feces are larger in size and darker with a blunted or pointed end.
• You see gnaw marks. While rodents love feasting on crumbs in the kitchen, that doesn’t mean they won’t nibble on other stuff in their path. They might try tasting door frames, cabinets or even baseboards. Typically, small scratches are from mice, while teeth marks are from rats.
• Your home smells musky. Rodents don’t smell good, and you should be able to pick up on their scent after a while. You’ll notice the scent never goes away, even if you open doors or windows.
How to Get Rid of Rodents
Obviously, if you have a serious infestation, your best bet is to call an exterminator. They have professional chemicals and traps that can eliminate the problem for good. However, if you’re determined to fix this issue on your own, you’ll want to take a couple different steps.
- Bait the rodents with poison. Don’t place bait near their entryways or homes, as they might get suspicious and relocate to another part of the house. As you do this, eliminate all other sources of food, such as garbage, crumbs in the kitchen, etc. This way, they will have no choice but to eat the deadly bait.
- Set up rodent traps. Select rodent traps depending on your specific infestation, as the size of the trap is crucial for catching these critters. Don’t just get one or two traps; instead, place them anywhere you’ve seen signs of the infestation. Keep them a couple of feet apart for mice and 15 to 20 feet apart for rats.
How to Keep Rodents from Coming Back
You’ve gotten rid of all the creatures in your house. Great! But, unless you make some changes, it’s likely they will move back in. Here are a few more things you’ll need to do to stop them for good.
• Seal entry points. If the rodents have dug tunnels in your walls or cupboards, you need to seal them up. Additionally, you’ll also need to seal any cracks in your foundation or exterior walls, as this is how many rodents get in your home in the first place. Use weather stripping, steel wool, and caulking for this.
• Keep it clean. Rodents need just a tiny bit of food a day to survive (3 to 4 grams), so even a slightly dirty kitchen can sustain a healthy population. Always wipe up food and spills right away.
• Get a cat. Cats really enjoy catching mice, but it’s important to note that rodents do carry diseases that can be passed to your furry friends. As long as you keep them up to date on their shots, they should be safe.
No one likes rodents in their home. By following these tips, you can eliminate your infestation and stop worrying about the scurrying you hear in the walls each night.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Altisource Online Auction, Inc., Altisource® or any Altisource affiliate. The foregoing content is not intended to constitute, and in fact does not constitute, financial, investment, tax or legal advice by the author, Altisource Online Auction, Inc., Altisource or any Altisource affiliate.
