Five hacks to rodent-proof your home
Rats and mice love our houses – especially the nice warm ceiling cavities and easily accessible pantries. They’ll take any opportunity they can to sneak in and make themselves at home. If you don’t want uninvited furry guests, then try these five hacks to rodent-proof your place.
Trim trees and hedges
Did you know an adult rat can jump up to 40 cm? They’re also excellent climbers. By keeping your trees and shrubs trimmed to at least 50 cm away from your roof’s guttering, you’ll make it much more difficult for rodents to access your ceiling and attic.
Seal all gaps around pipes, cables and wires
Rodents are experts at squeezing through tiny spaces. In fact, an adult rat can fit through a hole of just 20-25 mm in diameter. With mice, 6-7 mm is all they need. To keep them out of your home, seal all the gaps around your pipes, cables, and wires with tin plate, fine gauge mesh, or expanding foam.
Deal with gaps under exterior doors
Just as rodents can squeeze through holes, they can also wiggle through under-door gaps as small as 12 mm. You can stop them in their tracks by attaching a strip of bristle or solid rubber to the undersides of your doors.
Your garage door
Your garage door is an easy spot for rats and mice to get in, especially if it is poorly fitting or crooked. Get it adjusted, so it fills the space evenly, or install a raised edge to create a snug fit.
Your garden
Our last tip to keep your property rodent-free is to not attract them to your garden in the first place. Clear away any leaf piles, rubbish, stacks of wood, or overgrown vegetation, as all of these things make great nests. Don’t provide a buffet for rats or mice either – pick up any fruit or nuts that have fallen off your trees and ensure your compost and rubbish bins are well sealed.
If you’ve got any questions about rodent control, please get in touch!