The Easiest Way To Keep Rodents Away From Your Home In Western Massachusetts

We're at it again. We're gathering years of knowledge in pest control to share some of our tricks and insights. Today, we'll look at rats and mice and explain what rodents hope to find in your yard and near your home. If you alter these conditions, you can keep them out of your house naturally. We'll also review why keeping them out is a good idea.

As always, we're here if you need us. American Pest Solutions provides smart, science-based solutions for pest issues in Western Massachusetts. We're the company to call when you need rodent control near you. Connect with us by email, text, or phone; we look forward to assisting you.

What Is Rodent Control?

Rodent prevention can seem tricky, particularly when it comes to rats and mice. It is tricky because these two animals are elusive. They hide in your walls, where you can't get to them. They also follow mysterious behavior patterns and are drawn to things you wouldn't expect. But you don't have to worry about understanding what pests are doing inside your house or how to capture them if they don't get inside your home in the first place, right? But how do you keep them out? What is rodent control, and how does it work? It all comes down to one thing—opportunity.

The reason Western Massachusetts homes have trouble with rats and mice is that these rodents are opportunistic critters. If they see an opportunity, they will take advantage of it. Opportunity comes in many forms. Let's look at a few examples, along with some suggestions to help you make it harder for rodents to find what they hope to find on your property.

Food: A rat or mouse is motivated by food. If it sees or smells something enticing, it will attempt to get to it. The more rodents you have in your yard and near your home, the greater the potential for unwanted entry or damage to your vehicles and house. Here are some food sources that will lure them:

• The scent of a dirty trash receptacle is a bit appalling to humans, but to rodents, it is a promise of a meal. If they have the chance to get a free meal, they'll take it. Wash your receptacles periodically to remove this rodent-attracting aroma.
• A bird feeder is a great addition to a backyard. Birds are wonderful to watch. But that bird seed is an attractant for rats and mice. They eat seeds as a dietary staple, and they won't pass up this opportunity. Attach your bird feeders atop smooth metal poles to prevent rodents from getting to the seeds easily.
• It is common knowledge that squirrels eat nuts, but rats and mice also do this. If you have acorns or some other kind of nuts scattered on the ground in your yard, rats and mice will want to explore your property. Raking up nuts can help prevent this.

Water: All animals need a drink of water. They can get a drink from many natural sources, but when days pass without rain, they often turn to humans to satisfy their thirst. If you have water sources in your yard, a rodent may decide to live on your property in the same way it would establish itself near a pond. Here are some examples of water sources:

• Rodents drink from toys and other objects that collect rainwater. Pick toys up to remove these water dishes.
• Rodents drink out of puddles. Clean your gutters to reduce perimeter dampness and the potential for puddles. If you have depressions in your yard, apply fill to even the landscape and deter puddles.
• Rodents drink water right out of a gutter. Besides cleaning your gutters and removing obstructions, consider cutting tree branches to keep rats and mice off your roof.

Navigation: Do you know that rats and mice can get around in pitch dark as quickly as they do when light is available? Do you know why? It is because they use their other senses, such as touch, smell, and hearing. If you make your yard harder to navigate, you'll have fewer rats and mice. Here are some things you can try:

• Pick up ground clutter and store junk piles inside trash bins.
• Move wood or stone piles away from your exterior.
• Store items off your property or inside a shed. Rodents will not only use these for navigation but also for nesting.
• Remove anything in your yard with a strong odor, such as a fertilizer pile or a compost heap.

Holes: A rat or mouse can't help but explore a hole. Why? Because they live inside logs, tree cavities, and caves. These areas provide protection. If a rodent sees a cavity or gap in your exterior wall or foundation, it may want to explore what is beyond. A rotted wooden hole might lead to a "tree" cavity. A gap in the concrete around a pipe may lead to a cave.

• Use expanding foam to seal gaps and fill in cavities.
• Use caulk to close openings around your framing.
• Replace weatherproofing materials as needed.

Often, all that is necessary to keep rodents out is to remove the openings that attract their interest. While they can easily gnaw through expanding foam, they won't think to do so. When you combine these exclusion tips with removing food, water, and objects that help rodents navigate, you'll have what you need to keep rodents in Western Massachusetts out of your home. Let's examine why you'll want to keep them out.

Impact On Hygiene And Safety: How Rodents Compromise Your Home

Opportunistic feeders get into unsanitary places. They can't help themselves. It is important to keep this in mind as you consider rodent control. When an urban rodent gets into your home, it may bring "filth" in with it for the following reasons:

• Rodents run in sewer culverts.
• Rodents climb in dumpsters and trash receptacles.
• Rodents explore dump piles.
• Rodents eat from compost heaps.
• Rodents feed on dead animals.

The hair on a rodent can have many microorganisms linked to human diseases, such as salmonellosis or E. coli. Rodents also leave their waste materials inside your home as they move about. Together, these present a significant threat to your health.

The Role Of Sanitation: Keep Rodents Away By Eliminating Attractants

At this point, you know that sanitation will help you deter rats and mice. You may remove smells that attract rodents or aromas that help them navigate using their noses. Sanitation will also remove junk on the ground and places for rodents to nest. But, along with deterring rodent activity and eliminating the things that help these opportunistic critters find a home on your property, sanitation helps to prevent the health risks associated with rodent infestations.

If you have a clean yard and home, the rodents birthed on your property will have less contact with unsanitary things. It is important to manage dirty items, such as garbage. Doing so will provide you with some protection against rodent-related illnesses.

As you can imagine, the sanitation and exclusion work needed to keep rodents away will require action on your part. While we believe it is well worth the effort, it isn't really the "easiest" way to keep rodents away from your home. So, what is?

Professional Rodent Extermination: Seek Expert Help

People often call in the service team here at American Pest Solutions to get rid of rodents. It is logical. When rats and mice start to cause trouble, it is time to call in an expert. While we are certainly here to help you get rodents out of your home, did you know we can also help you control them long before they get inside? We offer proactive rodent control with our residential pest control service plans.

How does proactive rodent control work? Let's take a look:

• We inspect your property and give you specific data relating to the unique conditions that may attract rodents.
• We track rodent activity.
• We may apply tamper-resistant bait stations to reduce rodent populations.
• We apply certain exclusions to keep rodents from getting into your home.
• You have ongoing access to a technician who knows your home, family, and pets so that if rodents get inside, we can quickly address the problem.

It pays to have ongoing help from a rodent control expert. If you're in Western Massachusetts, contact American Pest Solutions today to learn about our customized residential pest control service plans. We listen closely to your concerns and create a plan that meets your specific needs. Once in place, you don't have to think about pest control. We take care of pest trouble before it starts.

You can quickly begin by hopping on over to our Contact Us page and filling out the short form. It is a stress-free way to learn about residential pest control and rodent control in Western Massachusetts and get a quote for our services. When it comes to keeping rodents out, we have the experience to get the job done right. Connect with us today.