As temperatures in Houston start to dip towards freezing, insects and other pests are trying to find a warm and dry place to sleep. Unfortunately for us it’s usually in our homes. With the changing weather rats and house mice invade our homes usually bringing the rest of their family with them. They make the most of the open invitation into our homes finding shelter with plenty of food. They often cause serious damage to our homes by tearing insulation, chewing electrical wires, contaminating food and leaving unpleasant odors.
A house mouse can squeeze through a very small space making their way into homes through cracks and crevices. Read on and discover hints and tips to keep your house rodent free all winter long.
First, seal up any cracks and holes on the outside of your home, don’t forget areas where pipes and utilities enter. This is a very common entry point and using sealant such as cement, expandable foam or steel wool will do the trick. Screen vents and chimneys and make sure that there is no loose mortar around windows.
Install door sweeps or rubber seals to block gaps under doors. if a pencil will fit in the gap that means that a mouse is able to squeeze through.
Tidy up your garden to reduce the risk of rodents entering your house: keep tree branches well-trimmed, store firewood 20 feet away from the house and repair any rotting wood.
Follow these tips and you are less likely to have a rodent family taking over your house.
If you see signs of droppings, gnaw marks or trails, you may need to call a Houston pest control expert to take care of the problem.
