Rat and mouse-proofing your home isn’t too hard, but it’s going to take some effort and a bit of creativity. Here’s how to stop rodents from entering your home:

Inspect Entry Points

There are three main ways a rodent can get into the house and wreak havoc:

• The Foundation: If your foundation is cracked, you’ve rolled out the red carpet for these pesky creatures. They can make their way into every part of your home by coming in through the cracks. Inspect your foundation and plug large holes.
• The Roof: Any hole in the roof is bad enough because of the water it will let it. But large ones are also big enough to let you-know-who in, too. Use some sort of wire mesh or foam to block up the holes (or pay for roof repairs).
• Portals: Windows and doors must be properly sealed. If your doorways are warped and there is a gap, it’s an easy way for a rat to get in.
• Gardens and Trees: It may be surprising, but the garden is actually a primary way for pests to get in the house. Make sure there’s not an overgrowth of rubbish or piles of vegetables to attract any furry creatures. Tree branches near the home should also be trimmed.

Cleanliness

One of the best ways to prevent a rodent infestation is by making your home less appealing to them (and more appealing to guests). This means taking the highest sanitary precautions.

• Remove Clutter: Rodents will find shelter in the deepest, darkest corners. Be sure to remove old, unneeded clutter to give them fewer places to nest. Get rid of boxes, cookware, piles of clothes, cardboard boxes and even old furniture.
• Seal Your Bins: Make sure your bin bags and bins are sealed tightly and the spaces are free of clutter.
• Wash Your Floors: This should be obvious, but don’t forget to wash the floors. And definitely, don’t forget to hoover the carpets.
• Store Food Properly: Never store food on the ground, and always keep it in tightly sealed containers.

Introduce Deterrents

There are a few ways you can make your home a place that no rodent wants to go. You could try:

• A Cat: Nature’s natural mousetrap. Having a cat around will keep most pests away and give you a great new friend to serve all day.
• Mouse Repellent: Mint and bay leaves are known to naturally repel mice.
• Mouse Traps: Placing traps around your home is a great way to catch mice and keep them from coming back. Try to place them in key areas where mice may enter.

Mice and rats causing problems? Not anymore. Use these tips for keeping mice out of your home for good. If these aren’t enough, you should call a Jims pest removal professional to get things back in order immediately.