Image: alice popkorn
It’s usually not too difficult to detect a rodent problem in your home; telltale signs include scratching noises coming from behind the walls, gnaw marks on bread wrappers and other food packaging, the presence of tiny round droppings, and small footprints in dusty corners. You may also notice a damp, musky odor in certain areas of your home.
Rodents carry numerous diseases that can threaten the health of you and your family. Rats and mice are also prolific breeders, so if you see just one, there’s a good chance there are many more in your home. Rodents aren’t particularly finicky eaters, so pretty much any food source works just fine for them.
Preventing a Rodent Invasion
Perhaps the best piece of advice for how to get rid of rodents is to take steps to safeguard your home. Ideally, this will help you prevent an invasion in the first place. The tiniest crumb or drop of water is an open dinner invitation to a rodent, so be sure to remove these temptations by cleaning up after you eat. Keep your kitchen and dining areas as clean as possible and shut off faucets tightly to prevent drips. Place unrefrigerated products such as bread, cookies and pet food in sealed containers after opening, and clean your pet’s bowls after each use.
Properly maintaining the exterior of your home is also important. Keeping your vegetation trimmed and removing piles of debris gives rodents fewer places to hide. And keep in mind that rodents have the unique ability to squeeze their bodies through the tiniest spaces, so be sure to seal any cracks or holes that can serve as a doorway into your home.
How to Get Rid of Mice and Rats After an Infestation
If it’s already too late to stop a rodent invasion, you’ll need to know how to get rid of mice and rats quickly to minimize their damage. Homemade remedies like using cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil or placing fabric softener sheets rarely work, and often become nothing more than nesting materials for rodent families!
How to Get Rid of Mouse and Rat Problems with Commercial Products
Fortunately, in my role as a live animal control professional, I’ve discovered how to get rid of rats and mice effectively with the help of Havahart® products. For instance, I’ve had great success catching mice with the Havahart® X-Small 2-Door Trap. This trap contains two gravity-action doors that enable the mouse to enter from either side, and the sensitive trigger results in a quick, secure and humane capture. Unlike other traps I have tried that tend to have sharp edges and a flimsy design, this trap is sturdy and its smooth edges make it easy for the rodent to remain uninjured.
Mice like cherry pits, nuts or oatmeal, so if you place a little bit of food at the end of the trap, they will be sure to be lured in! Just be sure to place the trap in an area where signs of heavy mouse traffic are present.
Knowing how to get rid of rodents will protect your family, pets and property, allowing you to take back your home from these destructive pests!
I don’t have any rodents, thankfully, but at least I know how to get rid of one if it tries to move in. Thank you.