The family of rodents consisting of rats, mice and the likes happens to be the most predominant race of omnivores on the planet. The maximum crop and property damage every year, in most countries, can be attributed to these pesky creatures that are also the harbingers of numerous contagious diseases. It’s true there are commercial methods can be employed to control their infestation. But it’s advisable to stick to a few home tips that have no health side effects, yet control rodent problems. Listed here are a few things you can do to keep your home rodent free.
Trash and Cleanliness
Cleanliness is the key to killing the environment warding off rodents that can only survive in unclean and dank places. Keep your surroundings clean and invest in a good garbage disposal system. Always keep your garbage bins shut tightly, as these are enticing feeding grounds for rodents. Proper waste management will ensure that rodents aren’t attracted to their favorite hunting grounds.
Holes
Being the squishy and flexible creatures they are, rodents can sneak into holes and crevices smaller than the mouths of spice jars. Make sure you have all the entries and exits to your house rounded up and secured – that includes all the nooks and crannies that can be possible entry points (think small holes in the wall for washer/ dryer access, openings under sinks around pipes and any other small holes you may not have really thought about).
Pets
Store food in air tight containers; always keep food items covered, as the smell that attracts you also attracts rodents. Extend the same care to pet’s food and habits so they do not become second-in-line targets. Dispose their leftover food immediately and clean the mess they make before rodents are attracted to it.
Disinfect
Use disinfectants when required. If you spot or kill a rodent, the area should be thoroughly disinfected and the carcass disposed off as soon as possible. Take necessary precautions like wearing gloves while cleaning the mess, as rodents are carriers of various germs and diseases.
Outdoors
Mow your grass regularly. Get rid of unwanted log piles, wood, used tires and other rodent habitats in your vicinity. Set up rodent traps at suspected places where rodents are most likely to inhabit. Keep the garbage bins shut and at a good distance from your indoors.
Apart from these regular measures, if you still suspect an outbreak of rodent infection, you can use naturally occurring rodent repellents in nature. For example, peppermint pods and oil repel rodents like the opposite poles of a magnet. Soak cotton balls or old cloths in peppermint oil and leave them in rodent infected areas. Other naturally occurring repellents include cayenne and cinnamon. Use them in any form (powders, oils, etc…) to repel rodents by filling in their holes with the repellents or marking off their paths. Planting herbs like mint, wood hyacinth, daffodils and camphor plants also repel rodent activities.
All these measures will keep the rodents away from your house and its vicinity. In spite of this, if there’s still a breakout of rodent infestation, you’ll have to break down and call in the pest control authorities to tackle the situation professionally without any health or environmental hazards.