The last thing that any homeowner wants to deal with is a rodent infestation. Unfortunately, rodents have a knack for squeezing into homes through very small spaces, and when they find the right residence, they can begin reproducing rapidly. Thus, it is important for homeowners to be proactive and diligent in order to avoid a rodent infestation in their own house. Getting rid of a rodent infestation takes some effort, but it is well worth it. Take the following steps to help keep rodents from making your home their home.
Eliminate Food Sources
One of the easiest ways to start getting rid of a rodent infestation is by ensuring that rodents won't find sources of food in your home anymore. You can achieve this by storing non-perishable food in sealed containers and ensuring that fruit and bread are placed in an area that can't be accessed by rodents -- don't make the mistake of leaving these foods sitting out on the counter. You also need to make sure that you wipe down counters regularly and rinse the dishes to remove all food debris before placing them in the sink. Don't forget to also pick up your pets' food after they are fed.
Seal Access Points
If you don't want more rodents in your house, you need to make sure that they can't gain entry. Thus, you will need to closely inspect the exterior of your home in order to identify cracks, holes, or damaged areas that rodents would be able to squeeze through. After these potential access points are found, make sure that you either patch the area or use caulk to make a tight seal. When inspecting your home for areas that could be access points, don't forget to also check in your attic and along the roofline.
Contact a Pest Control Company
In many cases, your best bet to prevent rodent infestations is to turn to professionals. Working with a pest control company is an excellent way to keep rodents out of your house. If you see a single rodent or evidence of a rodent, don't brush it off or set out a trap or two. You are much better off contacting a pest control company right away. The sooner a rodent issue is addressed, the less likely you are to experience a large infestation. Taking care of the problem early will help prevent the rodents in your home from reproducing and increasing the population living inside your home.
To learn more, contact a rodent control company.