It’s that time of year again: rodent season! With Rodent Awareness Week upon us, it’s important to stay aware of the threats of rats and mice this fall and all year long. Here in the Midwest, rodents are a problem pest year-round, but the fall and winter months see a sharp increase in activity. This is when these pests look to get inside your home. But just how do rats get in your house in the first place? Unfortunately, they can do so with surprising ease. The last thing you want to deal with in the coming fall and winter months is a rat infestation. In this blog post, our rodent control experts are here to help you understand how to stop rats and mice from getting inside your house this fall.
How Do Mice Get in The House?
Rats and mice alike are very adept at squeezing into the tiniest of openings, which is why they can get into your home much easier than you may want to believe. Rodents have been known to climb walls as well as jump quite high. Some young mice can fit into holes that are just 5 mm wide, making any tiny crack or crevice a vulnerability. Rats, on the other hand, are known to climb nearby trees and trellises to get to the roof of your property. From there, they can enter through soffits, vents, and any other opening that is larger than about ½”.
Where Do Rats Live In the House?
Once they squeeze their way into your home, where do rats and mice stow away? Here’s where you may find rats and mice hiding around your property:
- Attics or lofts: In your attic, rodents will shred insulation and hide in cardboard boxes.
- Kitchens: Especially in restaurants, rodents are known to harbor around appliances to stay warm.
- Laundry rooms: Similarly to kitchens, laundry rooms provide rodents with the warmth and moisture they seek.
- In the walls: When you have a bad infestation, rodents could be found in crawl spaces or wall cavities.
- Garages: Rats and mice are frequently found in residential garages amidst your stored items.
Fall Rodent Prevention
Every Rodent Awareness Week, the rodent exterminators at Anderson Pest Solutions aim to educate our community about the dangers of rodent infestations. To avoid them, it’s crucial to put a stop to rats getting inside in the first place. For more information or tips on keeping rats and mice out this fall and winter, contact us today to learn more!
