Mice, rats, squirrels, and other rodents often look to human homes for shelter, food, and water. While they don’t necessarily mean you any harm, they can do a lot of damage digging through walls and chewing on wiring. To avoid the need for rodent removal, prevent these pests from entering your home in the first place by following these steps.

How to Prevent Rodents From Entering Your Home

1. Remove Food Sources

Mice and rats often seek out human food scraps. Make your home less desirable by storing dry food in sealed containers and always wiping down countertops and sweeping floors after meals. Also, if you have pets, remove their food and water bowls each night. Finally, use garbage cans with tightly sealed lids inside and outside the home. If necessary, add locking straps on outdoor bins.

2. Eliminate Potential Shelter

To prevent the need for rodent removal, keep your lawn mowed and shrubs trimmed. Also, don’t put piles of leaves and firewood on the ground, and keep mulch away from the home’s foundation. Inside the house, don't leave piles of clutter on the floor, and try to avoid storing items in cardboard boxes for prolonged periods.

3. Block Entry Points

Mice can fit into holes about the size of a nickel. Periodically, inspect the exterior of your house for cracks in the siding and gaps around pipes or wiring that lead inside. Use caulk to seal any openings smaller than a quarter-inch in diameter, and add weatherstripping around your doors and windows. If you have a chimney, have it capped and inspect the masonry annually for cracks.

Sometimes, prevention isn’t enough to deter mice and squirrels from invading your home. If you think you may have pests, contact Urban Wildlife Control in Roswell, GA, for professional rodent removal services. Since 2003, they’ve provided wildlife capture and removal services to homeowners throughout the area. Call their trained wildlife operators today at (678) 493-7194 for safe and effective rodent removal, and visit their website to learn more about their services.