Have you seen someone react hysterically to a mouse? There are some who find those itty, bitty mice to be extremely scary. They'll screech and climb up onto chairs or counters to get away from a mouse. Most Dallas residents find themselves on the other side of the spectrum. A rodent isn't a big deal. It is just one of the many furry critters in the great state of Texas. But mice and rats can be harmful to your property as they chew through building materials and gnaw on wires. They can also damage stored furniture and other items you have in storage. As they move through your home, they cause contamination with their urine, feces and dirty hair. If all of this isn't bad enough, they bring friends with them. A single mouse can have as many as a hundred seed ticks on its body. Trust us when we say, you're better off not having these critters inside your home. That's why we've put together this quick guide for mouse and rat exclusion. Here's what you need to know.
Yard Prevention
There are conditions that can lure mice and rats into your yard. If you alter these conditions, you can make your yard less attractive.
- Keep your grass cut, pluck your weeds, and keep your vegetation trimmed. Rodents prefer a yard with overgrowth.
- Remove unnecessary clutter from your yard. All rodents will use objects in your yard as a place to hide. The more hiding places you have, the more interesting your yard will be. The Norway rat will choose a yard that has groups of objects because it prefers to create burrows underneath junk piles. They'll also get under concrete slabs, rocks, shrubs, and other structures or landscaping.
- Protect food sources in your yard. If you have vegetables, berry bushes, fruit trees, or some other food source, you should install fencing that will keep rodents out. Be sure to install it with at least one foot of the fence below the ground.
- Remove food sources. Mice and rats will eat birdseed. If you have feeders, consider putting them far away from your home.
Exterior Prevention
When rodents get up close to your home they will hide under structures and in landscaping as they explore your exterior for entry points. Your goal should be to make it difficult for them to hide, or find a way in.
- Keep your landscaping trimmed to make rodents feel exposed.
- Remove objects that are near your home, especially woodpiles, leaf piles, etc.
- Install fencing to keep rodents from getting into the voids underneath structures.
- Examine your foundation and exterior walls for tiny entry points and seal them.
Interior Prevention
Mice and rats have many reasons for wanting to stay inside your home. While you can't address them all, you can address enough of them to drive a less-determined rodent out.
- Keep your trash in sealed containers.
- Keep your kitchen and pantry clean.
- Do routine deep cleanings.
- Put pet food down only during mealtime.
- Address plumbing leaks and moisture issues.
- Put foods that come in cardboard, paper, or thin plastic in glass or hard plastic, sealed containers.
- Put bagged dog or cat food into sealed plastic totes.
Professional Rodent Management
If you don't want to do all, or any, of the above rodent prevention, there is another way to prevent rodents from getting into your Dallas home. Let the rodent control professionals here at All-Safe Pest & Termite provide you with ongoing rodent management. Connect with us today and learn about our rodent control service. We'd be happy to assist you with this important protection for your health and property.