As the cold weather pushes towards spring here in the Seattle area. We continue to see lots of rodent activity in homes across the region. Rats and mice love to make their way into your warm and sheltered home, making the most of any items they can find as food and nesting sources. They leave evidence in urine and feces that can carry disease, ruin your air quality, and destroy the protective barrier and insulation in your attic and crawlspace.
Here are 5 quick things you can do to keep these pests at bay:
- Shut the front door! Literally. Leaving the doors to your home or garage open for periods is nothing more than a welcome mat for these rodents. While they can squeeze through holes the size of a quarter for a rat or a dime or mouse – why bother when they can walk right in?
- Starve them out. Make sure all your trash and recycling containers are secured with lids and when possible stored away from your home.
- Feeding the birds is a wonderful effort but keep in mind they are likely not the only ones enjoying these tasty offerings. If you must feed them – bring the feeders inside at night and clean up any food that is spilled onto the ground.
- Seal up your spaces. Garage door weather stripping, crawl space access doors and screens are the most common areas that tend to deteriorate over time and need repair. Ensure these access points are kept in good repair.
- Trim your vegetation and trees at least 3 feet away from your home. These natural bridges provide harborage and access to the inside of your home and often roof and attic space.