An initial and obvious measure to keeping rodents away from your home is not allowing them access. But often, this line of defence is not always feasible. Rodent infestation is a cause for concern as their invasion could lead to a host of serious issues. Considered a triple-D threat – dirty, damaging and disease-ridden, these pests pose a health hazard to you and your family. Not only are rats known to gnaw through cables leaving live wires exposed, but they are also able to chew through walls as well as carry a slew of bacteria. Prevention is truly better than cure in the case of pests before irreparable damage is done to your property.
So here are some ways to prevent rodents from gaining access to your home.
1. Remove their food supply
Rats are more likely to be drawn to a home due to the presence of warmth and food. As a result of their superior senses of smell, odours of food are easily detected. This makes securely sealing food absolutely necessary, which includes the effective storage of dried goods such as beans, pasta, oats, rice and even cereals. Storage options include air-tight plastic and metal containers as these pests are known to chew through cardboard. Furthermore, you should also make sure to always clean any crumbs that could be located on countertops, stoves, refrigerators, shelves and cabinets. By removing food available on the premise, you would not only significantly decrease the possibility of rodent infestation but also that of other pests.
2. Seal entry points
Due to their small sizes, rats are known to squeeze through small openings and are known to create larger openings using their teeth. Carefully inspect the exterior walls of your property for holes and seal any identified spots regardless of size. A hole larger than 5mm could allow mice to fit through these spaces and further break down the wall. Once these areas are effectively sealed, it is unlikely that rats will be able to create new holes. Similarly, holes on pipework should be sealed with coarse grade stainless steel wire wools or caulking. Pliable sealants and steel wools are also effective in disabling pests from accessing through otherwise vulnerable openings. If your home has any air vents or chimneys, close off these possible entryways as well with fine galvanised wire meshes. These practices should continue regularly to maintain the prevention of rodents accessing your home.
3. Install door sweeps
Door sweeps are essentially a seal to the gap that exists between the bottom of the door and the threshold. Seemingly harmless, this space is often one of the entry points to your home for pests. Inexpensive and easy-to-install, this feature would contain brushes or bristles fitted to the bottom of the door as well as weather seals or weather stripping around the sides and top.
4. Prune shrubs
If your home has a backyard or a lawn, it is recommended that you trim any available tree branches or shrubs. Various rodents and pests are known to be good climbers who are able to scale rough and vertical surfaces. With the help of vine or shrubs in contact with your home, these pests can easily gain access to rooftops. Long grass can also be attractive places of refuge and nesting sites for such creatures and is best to mow regularly.
5. Holistic repellents
As a preventive measure, you can add essential oils to the surroundings of your property. Natural deterrents such as clove and peppermint oil are able to irritate or disrupt the nasal passages of rats, therefore warding them off. For the interior of your home, you can soak cotton balls with these oils, placing them in areas that frequently attract mice such as entryways, basements or cabinets.
Looking for a professional rat exterminator in Melbourne? Positive Pest Solutions are providers of a wide range of services that include rat removal in Melbourne as well as rat control services in Melbourne. Get in touch with our friendly team today to discover more on the full range of services we offer and arrange a free quote!
