Winter is coming, and that means that you’re going to be spending less and less time outdoors as the temperature drops. Unfortunately, this also bodes true for rodents such as raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks, and, of course, rats and mice. Some people believe that rodents are less of a problem in the cold weather, thinking that they spend the season hibernating; however, they are, in fact, active all through the winter and eager to use your house as a shelter. Here are some facts about rodent behavior in the cold and what you can do to keep them out of your home.
How Rats and Mice Handle the Cold
Just like us, rodents are mammals, which means that just like us, they need to keep their internal body temperatures warm. They want to come inside our homes for the same reason that we do: The heat. Add to this the fact that the natural food sources of rodents become much more scarce in the winter and you have a perfect recipe for widespread rat and mice infestations. Don’t worry though. There are many ways to keep your home secure from these freeloaders.
Rodent Control for the Winter
The best way to vermin-proof your house is to block all access points that they could use to get inside. You may not believe it, but rats can make their way through any opening the size of a nickel, so look around and plug up any holes or cracks with caulk and copper mesh. Also, make sure you keep your garbage pails shut tight so they can’t break in. Next, cut any branches touching the side of your house that rodents could use as a bridge to scale your house, and finally, keep your yard as uncluttered as possible to give these creatures fewer places to hide. Do all this, and these pests won’t stand a chance.
It’s great to invite people over when the weather gets cold, but unwelcome guests can be a big problem, especially the ones that crawl through the foundations of your house and find their way into your garbage bin. Fortunately, all it takes is a little bit of handiwork, and your home should be rodent free. For more information, or to receive quality pest control services, contact Germantown Pest Control today.