When wild rodents get into South Portland homes, they can make a mess. Mice, rats, and squirrels are not potty trained and they don't understand that putting holes in your home, or damaging screens and other materials, makes you angry with them. They're just doing what rodents do.
Even common domestic rodents such as house mice and house rats are not domesticated animals, like a cat or a dog. It is best to keep all rodents out of your home. We have some tips that will help you do just that.
Rodent Exclusion Techniques
The first step in keeping backyard rodents from being indoor pests is to remove entry points. While mice, rats, and squirrels can create their own holes, the availability of potential entry points can be an invitation. Rodents chew on small holes and make them bigger. It's just what they do.
- Small rodents can make short work of weatherstripping but they may not think to create a hole if they don't see a tiny gap or hole that could be made larger. Inspect the seals around your exterior doors and replace weatherstripping and door sweeps where needed.
- Rodents love to chew on wood that is rotting. Replace rotting wood so rodents don't get the bright idea to chew on the wood of your home. If you don't have the finances to do this, use a caulking gun to fill in holes that are developing in rotting wood.
- Rodents scrape and chew on concrete to get in through tiny gaps around pipes. A caulking gun can be used to seal these gaps and deter rodents from doing this.
- Rodents can chew holes to get in through vulnerable points on your roof. Trim tree branches away from your root to keep them from easily getting to your roof.
Exclusion techniques like these are your frontline defense against rodents.
Deterring Rodents From A Particular Area In Your Home
Along with applying exclusions, it can help to apply other management methods to keep rodents out of your home. On the outside of your home, you can remove objects that rodents hide under and get rid of organic debris such as leaves, sticks, and stacked wood.
On the inside of your home, you'll need to use a different strategy. We recommend natural scents that rodents don't like, scents such as cinnamon, peppermint, or cloves. These won't keep all rodents out, but you can deter them from getting into key areas such as your pantry.
How To Bait Rodents Out Of Your Walls
Traps are the best way to get rid of rodents. Unfortunately, it isn't easy to trap these animals. Rodents are smart. One way trapping can fall short is when the wrong bait is used. Contrary to what you may have learned watching Saturday morning cartoons, rodents don't have a preference for cheese. They eat seeds and nuts.
You'll have more success if you put peanut butter on a trap rather than cheese. But even putting the right bait on your traps won't necessarily draw rodents out of your walls. Licensed pest management professionals use field-tested methods to deploy traps in a way that outsmarts rodents, and traps are put in key areas to achieve the best results. If rodents have found a way inside, we recommend contacting a pest professional to arrest your rodent infestation.
Humane Rodent Infestation Treatments In South Portland
There are many ways you can keep rodents out, but once they've gotten inside, the best solution is to call a professional. If you need professional rodent control in South Portland, Big Blue Bug Solutions is a great choice. We use the most advanced methods and products to eliminate rodent infestations and prevent future infestations. We customize this service to meet your specific needs and budget. Reach out to us today for service. We can help.