No one wants rodents in their home. Unfortunately, New Jersey homeowners may find a variety of different rodents in their homes at some time. Local species include roof rats, Norway rats, deer mice, house mice, and more. These rodents may naturally live outside, but if they can get in your home, they are happy to live there. After all, rodents, just like other living things, want food, water, and shelter. Those three things are usually easier to find in your home than they are outside. If these rodents can get into the house and avoid detection, they can live a much cushier life inside than outside. That is why exclusion is such an important part of rodent control for your home.
Keeping rodents out is much easier than getting rid of them once they have moved in. That is partially because you are rarely dealing with a single rodent. Rats and mice both reach sexual maturity quickly and can have several litters per year. A couple of rodents or a single pregnant rodent can quickly become hundreds of rodents if they have access to food and water.
How do you keep rodents out of your home? The first thing you need to do is block access points. Thoroughly inspect your exterior. Are there any holes where rodents can get inside? Keep in mind that rodents can get into spaces about the size of a pencil eraser. You want to look for chinks in your siding and foundation, holes in your roof, and gaps around windows and doorways. If you leave your windows open, ensure that screens are intact and repair or replace those with holes.
You also want to make sure your home is not enticing. Rodents are going to be seeking out food and water. You should store all of your food, including pet food, in airtight containers. Remove all food, including pet food, after eating. Clean your dishes every night. Clean up crumbs on counters, tables, and on the floor. You also want to limit eating to dining areas in the home, and ensure that no one is leaving packaging or dishes in other rooms. Rodents will also be looking for water, so check for and fix any leaks. If rodents cannot find food and water in your home, they will be unlikely to stay if they get inside.
Of course, exclusion does not always work. If you have seen evidence of rodents in your home, do not ignore it! Once you see signs, you probably have a more serious rodent issue than you imagine. Contact us. We will come examine your home, assess the severity of your rodent problem, and format an extermination plan. Call us today to get started.
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