With winter approaching, you might find some unwanted pests seeking shelter inside of your home. Your warm house means safety not just for your family, but for rodents as well. Most homes get the occasional mouse, rat or squirrel inside, so it is nothing to be embarrassed about. Unfortunately, rodents have quite the arsenal of techniques to sneak inside your home and will take any advantage they can get.
How they Get Inside
Mice and rats are resilient, pesky and determined. They seek out any opportunity to get inside and are more than capable. They can climb, squeeze and jump their way in. Once they are inside, they wreak havoc.
Mice and rats often find their way into your house through any hole or crevice in floors, walls and roofs. Because of their size and shape, rodents can squeeze into holes much smaller than you would expect them to. It is crucial to be on the lookout for holes around the exterior of your home and to seal any hole or crevice as quickly as possible to keep pests out.
Squirrels especially tend to target roofs. A loose or missing shingle can mean your attic suddenly becomes their new home. Roofs are very tricky to investigate, so be sure to call a professional if you feel uncomfortable inspecting your roof on your own.
Rodents also use the same entry points you use to get inside your house. Doors and windows are more than large enough for rodents to sneak through, so it is pertinent to examine doors and windows to ensure they are closing properly and offer a good seal from outside.
Not Just Cracks and Doors
Pipes and other connections also offer rodents with a good point of entry. Make sure connection points are properly sealed off. Water pipes and gas lines lead right from the outside world into your home, so make sure rodents are not using them to get inside as well. If the pipes themselves are not properly sealed, rodents and other pests can find their way inside through sink and bath drains.
Call for a Professional
Once inside, rats and mice and chew through softer drywalls and floors to make your home their home. Infestations cause huge problems for your home and your family’s health. If you think your house might be vulnerable to unwanted rodents, contact Midwestern Termite & Pest Control today and schedule an inspection.
Contacting pest control is the first step towards taking back your home. As soon as you find any signs that rodents might be inside or trying to get inside, don’t delay and take care of the problem immediately.
