Tips to Prevent Rodents During Rodent Awareness Week

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and the Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA) both have designated a week in October to help close the knowledge gap between useless hacks posted on-line and practical, credible information.

Many of us race to the computer when we have a problem. It is true that there are a lot of tutorials online that can help with a myriad of household problems. Unfortunately, there is also a lot of information posted that is inaccurate, and in some rare cases, even dangerous. If you haven’t seen a mouse in your house yet this October, this is a great time to read through this information and take some steps to make your house less hospitable. If you have already seen a mouse, this might be a good time to reach out to a pest control professional (like us) because if you have seen one mouse, there are likely many more hidden in your home.

Why have pest professionals chosen October to highlight the issues with mice? A major reason it was decided that October would be a good time for rodent awareness is because mice and other rodents begin looking for warm, protected places to shelter as outdoor temperatures become cooler. Homes provide everything rodents need to survive the colder months, including warmth, food, water, and hiding places. As fall begins, there are some steps you should take to prevent mice from finding their way indoors.

One of the most important things to do in October is to inspect your home for openings where mice can enter. Mice can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps. Did you know that a mouse can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime? Because of this fact it is important to check around doors, windows, foundations, vents, utility pipes, and areas where wires or cables enter the house even for small holes. If you find holes, seal them with durable materials such as steel wool combined with caulk, hardware cloth, or other rodent-resistant materials.

October is also a good time to remove potential food sources that may attract mice. Store pet food, birdseed, grains, and other food products in tightly sealed containers rather than leaving them in the bags or boxes they came in. Clean up crumbs and spills promptly, keep kitchen garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids, and avoid leaving pet food out overnight.

It may seem counterintuitive but taking care of issues outside can help to keep the inside of your home mouse-free. Keep firewood, lumber, leaves, and other clutter away from the foundation because these materials can provide rodents with shelter. They are more likely to move into your home if they are living near it to begin with. Trim vegetation that is growing close to the house and keep areas around sheds, garages, and other structures as clean and open as possible.
While a week in October may be designated as rodent awareness week, that does not mean that you can forget about the threat of mice once November comes. Rodent prevention measures should continue throughout the winter. Working with the right pest control company, like Cowleys, can help make rodent prevention much easier.