If you have a rodent problem, it’s important to figure out how they’re getting into your home in the first place. Once you know how they’re getting in, you can take steps to seal up those entry points and keep them out for good. Sometimes, your actions can unintentionally invite rodents into your home. In fact, some specific habits can make your home more attractive to rodents and other pests.
According to the American Housing Survey, 2.9 million reported seeing both roaches and rodents in their houses. Based on the report, there are differences across geographic locations between homeowners and renters. While rodents are more prevalent in owner-occupied units and those in the Northeast, roaches are more prevalent in renter-occupied units and those in the South. But don’t worry, Bay Area Rodent Solutions offers rodent exclusion to keep rats and mice out of your home.
You can also avoid attracting rodents by avoiding these seven habits:
1. Leaving Food Out
Most of us are guilty of this at one time or another. You come home from a long day at work and you’re starving. The last thing you want to do is cook a full meal, so you decide to snack on some chips or crackers instead. But when you leave food out, you’re inviting pests into your home.
2. Not Cleaning up Spills and Crumbs
Spills and crumbs can attract pests even if you’re not leaving food out intentionally. If you spill something on the counter or drop a piece of food on the floor, clean it up immediately. The same goes for crumbs – sweep them up or vacuum them, so they don’t attract pests.
3. Not Taking Out the Trash
If you don’t take the trash out regularly, it can start to attract pests. Overflowing garbage cans appeal to rodents and other pests, so take the trash out often. Aside from attracting pests, not taking out the trash can also lead to a nasty smell in your home.
4. Not Cleaning Your Dishes
If you let your dishes pile up in the sink, you create a perfect breeding ground for pests. Food scraps and grease can attract all sorts of pests, so be sure to wash your dishes regularly if you don’t have time to clean them. At least rinse them off before putting them in the dishwasher.
5. Letting Pet Food Sit Out
If you have pets, their food can attract pests as well. If you feed your pets outdoors, be sure to clean up any leftover food, so it doesn’t attract rodents or other pests. And if you feed your pets indoors, don’t leave their food out all day – put it away in a sealed container when they’re done eating.
6. Not Sweeping or Vacuuming Regularly
If you don’t sweep or vacuum regularly, your home can start to attract pests. Dust and dirt can provide a perfect breeding ground for pests, so be sure to sweep and vacuum on a regular basis. The same goes for mopping – if you have hardwood floors, mop them often so they don’t attract pests.
7. Not Repairing Leaks
Leaks can attract all sorts of pests, so it’s important to repair them as soon as possible. If you have a leaky faucet or pipe, be sure to repair it immediately, as this will become a passage for pests to enter your home.
These are just some things that can make your home more attractive to rodents and other pests. If you’re dealing with a rodent problem, take a close look at your habits and see if there’s anything you can change to help keep them out.
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