Even if you think mice and other rodents are cute, they’re a huge health hazard because they spread diseases such ashantavirus, leptospirosis, salmonellosis, and plague Unfortunately, however, rodents are a common pest for many homeowners during the colder months. They will chew through things like insulation and wires and wreck all other sorts of havoc in your home. This is why this winter, we want to let you know about some of the things that attract rodents to your home and how you can prevent them from coming in this winter!
Things That Attract Rodents
No matter how much you loved watching Ratatouille, rodents in and around your home that haven’t been purchased at a pet store, aren’t a good thing. As we mentioned above, rodents can spread diseases and they do this through their droppings, urine, and even biting. For this reason, the last thing you want is to have rodents crawling around your home, but what are some things that attract rodents to your house in the first place?
Easy Access
First on our list of things that attract rodents is easy access. Let’s be honest, rodents aren’t the type to knock on the door and wait for an invasion to come in. In fact, rodents such as rats and mice are able to enter your home through a crack that is no larger than half an inch. These pests are also able to climb trees, making this a common and easy way for them to access your attic. Once they’re in, homeowners often have a tough time getting rid of them which is why you should take the time to ensure there are no cracks along your foundation and that the branches of trees near your home aren’t close to the foundation.
Indoor Plants
The next thing on the list of things that attract rodents is indoor plants. These plants along with nut trees are very attractive to rats and mice, especially the ones that seek out entry into your home from the roof. These rodents will often take advantage of large potent plants as a safe place indoors. If you have any of these plants in your home, it’s best to keep them away from the exterior walls and make sure they’re not near any entrances into your home.
Warmth and Comfort
Warmth and comfort are two things that attract rodents to your home shouldn’t come as a surprise to most people! That is because rodents enter your home for the same reason as many other animals and pests, for food, water, and shelter. This is because rats and other rodents are warm-blooded animals so finding a warm place to nest is something instinctual to them. And as these rodents are looking for a place to hide from the cold they can leave plenty of damage in their wake too. Rodents can gnaw through wood, wires, and insulation to create nests and find access food inside of your home. They can also cause your appliances to short circuit making them a common cause of house fires which is why it is important for you to know about these things that attract rodents into your home.
Pet Waste and Compost
The next item we want to talk about when it comes to discussing things that attract rodents to your home are pet waste and compost. These things might not seem like they would be attractive to rats and mice, but the truth is that both of these items have a lot of food in them for rodents. Pet waste contains things like meat, bones, and dairy which all attract rodents. And as compost begins to break down it releases things like oils, carbohydrates, and proteins-all things that are delicious to rodents. To prevent rodents from entering your home, it’s best that you pick up after your animals and avoid placing your compost piles in or around the exterior of your home.
Dripping Pipes
Dripping and leaky pipes are also among the things that attract rodents to your home. This is because the sound of water trickling down a pipe can be very appealing to rats and mice as they seek out food and shelter by running through sewers near their living areas. To prevent them from entering your home via these pipes it’s best to turn off any outdoor faucets when you’re not using them and to have a plumber come in and fix any leaks.
Clutter
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur Another item on the list of things that attract rodents is clutter. Clutter and other debris are almost as important to rodents as having a steady source of food and water. This is because the clutter acts as shelter and protection from the elements and larger animals. The best shelter for rodents is one that is not only warm but is also covered, and close to their food and water sources. Some of these areas include crawl spaces, garages, basements, garages, sheds, attics, and sometimes even areas in your ceilings and walls.
All Food
Last but not least on the list of things that attract rodents is food of all kinds. This means food such as pet food, birdseed, grains, and fruits and vegetables. In fact, a recent study found that almost 60% of the bait used to trap rats was fruit or vegetable-based. So if you’re looking to keep these pests out of your home, it’s important to keep all types of food stored in airtight containers and to clean up any spills or crumbs immediately.
Let our Team at Sigma Pest Help Prevent things that Attract Rodents
If you’re noticing an increase in rodents around your home this winter, don’t worry! Sigma Pest Control is here to help. Our team of experts can help identify the things that attract rodents to your home and provide you with the necessary steps to take in order to prevent it. Contact us today for more information about how we can not only help keep your home pest-free during the winter but all year round!
Rats prefer to live in warm & dark places. They also make sure that the place is free from predators. This winter season, make sure there aren’t any holes or gaps in your house for the rodent because as the temperature drops, they will find a new place for shelter as they are warm-blooded animals. Thank you for sharing this blog with us.