Rodents may look harmless — sometimes, even cute — but they can cause serious damage to your home. Mice like to chew on anything they can build a nest out of. Rats carry serious diseases; you don’t want them close enough to scratch or bite. As a homeowner, you should aim to keep these pests off of your property. Here are some ways to protect your home from a rodent infestation:

Seal Entry Points

First, ensure that rodents don’t have an easy way to enter your home. Mice can enter your home through the smallest opening — as small as the width of a pencil! Common rodent entry points include gaps around pipes, vents, and doors. Seal these up with materials like steel wool and caulk that will ensure that rodents don’t see an opening to slip through. These creatures typically won’t make an opening where one doesn’t exist. They’ll see the barrier and move right along. 

Keep Your Home Clean

A clean and clutter-free home deters rodents from taking up residence. They make their way into homes seeking food, water and shelter. If any of these aren’t apparent, rodents will look for more hospitable homes. Your kitchen and storage areas run the most risk of attracting rodents. In the kitchen, clean up food crumbs, and store food in airtight containers. Keep your storage areas free of clutter, and consider transitioning away from stacks of cardboard boxes, which can attract rodents and other pests. 

Remove Outdoor Attractions

Rodents often make their way into homes after being attracted to something on the outside. Bird feeders provide rodents with a food source, and if that food source is too close to your home, rodents can find their way in. Overgrown vegetation near your property can also attract rodents. Trimming back your vegetation and placing features meant to attract birds away from your home can help you avoid a rodent infestation. 

Call in the Professionals

You may think that traps are the next step if you suspect you have a rodent problem. However, rodents are experts at hiding. You may believe you only have one mouse in your house when, in fact, there’s a full family of them scurrying around. Call a professional pest control company to take care of rodents for you. They’ll know where to look and how to remove rodents from your home without harming the people or pets in your family. 

Having rodents in your home can cause strong odors, property damage and even health problems for you and your family. If you have rodents, Command Pest Control, a veteran-owned company with a 20-year history of exceptional service, is here to help. We offer rodent control in Pompano Beach and surrounding areas. Call us at 954-943-0008 or contact us online to schedule a free inspection.