Effective Rodent Control Solutions: Tips and Tricks For Frisco Property Owners

We have lots of rodents that come into our yards. The worst of all rodents are rats and mice. These common pests make trouble outdoors and indoors. They're also hard to control. Join us today as we examine their common characteristics and how you can naturally counteract their propensity to invade your home and create nests. We'll share a few reasons why effective rodent control is important, five effective exclusion tips, and how to get total control of rodents on your property. If you don't have time to read this guide, remember that you can contact us at any time to speak directly with a pest professional. All-Safe Pest & Termite is a trusted resource for pest facts and control solutions. Jump to our contact page or give us a call.

Characteristics Of Common Rodents

Different rodents in Frisco behave differently. Roof rats prefer to climb trees and get onto roofs but they often go outdoors to get food. Norway rats are ground-burrowing animals that often live outdoors but they enter homes in search of food resources. House mice are small rodents that prefer to live indoors and find all the food they need indoors, so they have no need to go outside. But, while each is different, what you need to know most are their similarities. Let's quickly break them down.

Rodents Explore Tight Spaces: A rat or mouse can't help but explore a hole or gap in your exterior. They like to squeeze into tight spaces. You could say they have a condition that is the opposite of claustrophobia. 

If you don't seal holes and gaps, you will continually have these pests entering your home, even as you sweat to get rid of them. 

Rodents Gnaw: You can expect a rat or mouse to chew on your home. They can't help it. These rodents are constantly gnawing. They have to gnaw to file down their ever-growing incisors. Therefore, they will gnaw on small holes to make them larger.

If you notice a spot where rodents have been gnawing on your exterior, it is essential to apply metal flashing or hardware cloth to stop the rodents before they get all the way in.

Rodents Are Squishy: A tiny mouse can squeeze and wiggle through a gap the width of a dime. And, while rats are big rodents, a full-grown rat can squeeze through a gap about the size of a quarter.   

You must not neglect to patch the smallest of entry points if you hope to keep mice and rats out of your home.  

Rodents Climb: Some exteriors are rough enough for rats or mice to scale them. These small pests can climb right up to gable vents and enter certain homes. They also use tree branches, utility wires, gutter downspouts, and pipes to get onto roofs.

You have to consider all of the ways a rodent might find its way onto your roof because these pests can enter your home from up there. 

Rodents Reproduce Quickly: Once inside your home, all of these rodent pests can grow a population quickly. The rate of reproduction is dependent on available food sources.  

It is critical to understand that an infestation can grow even after you've sealed exterior entry points, and protecting your food can deter population growth.  

Rats And Mice Have Poor Eyesight: They rely on their senses of touch, smell, and hearing to get from point A to point B. Of these three senses, touch is the most important. They use their whiskers and bodies to feel their way around.

A clear and open area is harder for a rat or mouse to navigate. They do not prefer to travel across open spaces. Removing ground clutters is a strong deterrent.  

Why Effective Rodent Control Is So Important

It is hard work to exclude rodents from your home. You need a reason to do that hard work—or a reason to hire someone to deal with rodent problems for you. Let's look at some of the reasons why you should apply effective rodent control.

• Rodents can damage your home and belongings.
• Rodents can chew on wiring and spark a fire.
• Rodents can find their way into kitchens and pantries and are a source of contamination.
• Rodents carry ticks and fleas, which are a disease concern.
• Rodents leave their droppings as they explore, and animal waste can make you sick.
• Rodents soil insulation with their droppings and urine, costing you money to repair.
• Rodents cause more trouble and present more health concerns as they grow a population.
• Rodents are wired to breed as fast as possible.
• Rats sometimes attack and bite when cornered or threatened.

Rats and mice are small animals. You might not think of them as harmful, but there are many ways they can cause harm. It is best to take steps that will keep them out of your home.   

Five Effective Rodent Exclusion Tips

There are a few factors that bring rodents into your home. You have control over these factors. Let's break down what you need to do by using some of the facts you've learned thus far. 

1. Remove Exterior Attractants

As the number of rats and mice near your home increases, the chances of them entering your home increases as well. One aspect of exclusion is to remove attractants.

• Clean trash cans and receptacles.
• Keep trash covered.
• Remove bird feeders.
• Clean up nuts that fall from trees.
• Protect fruits and vegetables.
• Pick up food after cookouts.

If rodents can't find food options in your yard, they are much less likely to establish themselves.   

2. Block Routes

You need to consider all of the ways rats and mice might enter your home and block their routes. You may do this by putting something in their way or by removing a path.

• Patch holes and gaps using expanding foam.
• Bolster vulnerable spots with metal flashing.
• Install hardware cloth to protect gable vents.
• Install vent covers.
• Trim branches that hang near your roof.
• Install guards on pipes that provide access to your roof.
• Install barbed wire where utility wires connect to your roofline.
• Insert wire mesh in downspouts and secure the material so rodents can't pull it out.
• Seal gaps around pipes that enter in underneath kitchen and bathroom sinks.

These and other exclusions will deter rodents from physically entering your home and moving about the interior.  

3. Remove Hiding Places

If your home has hiding places near your exterior walls, you'll have a harder time keeping rats and mice out of your home. You need to consider all of the places they might hide and take steps to remove these hiding places.

• Rake leaves and remove sticks.
• Move wood piles away from your exterior.
• Apply hardware cloth around the base of your shed.
• Apply hardware cloth around your back deck.
• Move stored objects away from your exterior.
• Trim your vegetation to address dense areas. 

These and other similar steps will remove the hiding places near your home and help keep rodents from having the opportunity to create an entry point.

4. Make Navigation Harder

Rats and mice don't want to cross a yard that feels open and intimidating. There are a few ways you can get rid of the ground objects rodents use for navigation.

• Remove yard clutter.
• Keep your grass trimmed.
• Remove piles of rocks or wood in your yard.
• Remove pallets.
• Remove construction materials.

We realize it isn't practical to remove all of the items sitting in your backyard, but do your best to create open spaces, particularly near the border of your property.

5. Protect Your Food

Rats and mice will have a hard time living inside your home if they are unable to access your food. When you guard your food, you'll also reduce smells that make rodents want to live with you.

• Keep certain foods in sealed containers.
• Clean and deep clean your home.
• Manage pet food so that no food sits overnight.
• Protect food-related Christmas decorations by storing them in a sealed container.

Applying these tips can help you prevent backyard rodents from becoming indoor pests. While they take muscle, applying these tips will not present the hazards associated with using over-the-counter rodent control products, such as rodenticides and traps. Check out our other blog posts to learn about the dangers of DIY rodent control.  

The Key To Total Rodent Control For Frisco Properties

Do you already have rodents inside your home? What is the best way to get rid of rodents? The secret to total rodent control is knowledge. You can take the time to learn what is needed to trap rodents, monitor rodent activity, apply exclusions, and evaluate your rodent control plan, or you can hire a trained pest management professional. Professionals have the training and experience to properly address rodent problems and get the results you want.

For rodents in Frisco, contact All-Safe Pest & Termite. We offer a wide range of services to deal with rodent infestations. We also offer exterior service to prevent rodents long before they get inside. Connect with us today to learn more about home pest control in Frisco or to request a service visit. We know what is required to get effective control of rodents.