Rodents are common all over the world, and unfortunately, that means we’re not immune to their presence here in Utah. There are various types of rodents in our great desert state, the most common being mice, rats, and squirrels. When you see signs of a rodent problem around your home, don’t panic. There are measures you can take to ensure you’ll never have to actually see your furry friends. Preventing rodents in your home is always the best route to preventing the unwelcomed adrenaline rush that may come with an untimely sighting
Step 1: Identify Potential Rodents
What are rodents in the first place? Rodents are defined as knawing mammals with constantly growing incisors and no K9 teeth. (Are you picturing a mouse with front teeth too big to even fit in his mouth? …. Us too…)
Identifying what type of intruders you could potentially have is the first step to preventing or ridding yourself of rodent problems. Here’s a list of the most common rodents that you could find around your home.
Mice
Mice can be quite sneaky and end up multiplying like wildfire if they aren’t dealt with quickly enough. They’re able to fit into small holes or openings and are experts at being the “hider” in your not-so-willing game of hide-and-seek.
Rats
Rats are secretive little guys, and they often come with a whole family. Rats are super smart, and quite honestly, they aren’t too easy to get rid of. They can be found in ceilings, walls, or crawlspaces and even inside appliances, furniture, floorboards, and cabinets.
Squirrels
Squirrels may seem innocent enough at first glance with their adorable furry coats and bushy tails, but don’t let that fool you into thinking they’re not a pest. Squirrels can cause damage to your home by chewing through wires and wood.
Step 2: Prevention
The easiest way to prevent rodents in your home is to ensure rodents can’t get inside in the first place! To start, seal off any potential rodent access points. Make a trip down to the hardware store and pick up some metal mesh – something sturdy enough a rodent can’t chew through it with their gnarly front teeth. Go around your home and cover any narrow holes or gaps that lead into your home.
Rodent Elimination
Congratulations??? You’ve passed the rodent prevention stage and moved on to the rodent elimination stage! You know you have a rodent problem if you see rodents, rodent droppings (bonus points if you remember what they look and smell like), and rodent gnawing marks around your property. Unfortunately, rodents can cause a wide range of damage to your home. If you see any of these signs, it’s time to address them and prevent your home from damage!Step 1: Clean It Up
The first step to eliminating your invaders is to get rid of all the things they’re living in your house to find! Make sure all the food in your pantry is sealed up. Remove nesting materials from attics, under sinks, and in crawl spaces. Block off any entrance points with wire mesh material. Use a natural rodent repellent around your home. And if you’re feeling extra ambitious, go ahead and get yourself a cat.
Step 2: Traps
Rodent traps are a great way to catch rodents in your home. Depending on your level of humanity, there are multiple trap options to choose from. The basic rodent traps are snap traps (think Tom and Jerry) and glue boards. The downside to both these options is, well, you have to see the dead rodent once it’s trapped. If you’re a little more squeamish, a hidden kill snap trap will cover the pest. Humane traps will allow you to catch the rodent and release it back into the wild if you want to go that less deadly route.
Step 3: Use a Rodent Elimination Service
If the above suggestions aren’t working, or you just don’t want to DIY this job, we can handle the rodent work for you! When you hire professionals, you know all your problem areas will be addressed. We can safely get your home back to only a humans only habitat. After we’ve addressed your rodent issue, we’ll ensure every preventative measure is in place so you don’t have to worry about your big teeth friends invading again!