It can be extremely unnerving to discover rodents inside your home. In addition to being unpleasant to see and hear, mice and rats can also track bacteria and disease into your home. With a comprehensive regimen — and the help of a pest control specialist, if necessary — you can drive these unwanted critters from your property for good. Here are a few best practices to keep rats and mice away. 

How to Banish Rodents From Your Home

1. Seal Holes

Physically sealing potential entries into your home is a key step in pest control, and it’s certainly the case with rodents. Since they can slip into sizes as small as a quarter, it’s wise to carry out a meticulous search around your doors and windows. Fill in any noticeable gaps with caulk or steel wool to create an effective barrier. 

2.  Rigorous Cleaning

Rodents are drawn to refuse, crumbs, and leftover food. That means that you should practice basic pest control habits every day. Before you go to bed, all dishes should be cleaned and put away, and all leftovers sealed inside containers and stowed in the refrigerator. It’s also extremely important that you place garbage bags inside sealed containers. Without an exposed food supply, rodents will be less enticed to visit your home. 

3. Remove Potential Nests

Even though rodents may enter your home, they may live outside, especially as the weather gets warmer. They especially like to nest in piles of detritus such as leaves and twigs. Take a walk around the perimeter of your property, removing and clearing any such accumulations that you see. Hiring a pest control professional can help you accomplish this step more thoroughly by locating nearby nests if they already exist.

If you’re dealing with rodents at home, it’s time to involve the pest control specialists at Joy Exterminators in Newport, OH. The locally owned and operated company has been in business for over 50 years and serves Marietta, OH, Parkersburg, WV, New Martinsville, WV, St. Mary's WV, Beverly OH. The professionals are experts in rodent removal and will quickly root out these pesky critters. To schedule an appointment, just call (740) 473-2739. Learn more about the exterminator by visiting their website.