How to Steer Clear of Rodents This Winter

No, we’re not referring to out of town family that visits during the holiday season—we’re talking about mice and rats. Because many homeowners mistakenly think that mice and rats hibernate during winter, they believe that they don’t have to worry about rodents during the colder months; however, in reality, mice or rat infestation can occur during winter. Let’s unpack exactly how you can avoid this undesirable situation. This guide will lay out some easy preventative steps that you can take to keep rodents out of your house all year round, as well as the correct steps to take if a rodent infestation has occurred.

Everything You Need to Know to Keep Mice Out This Winter

How do mice enter homes in the winter and why?
Rodents are warm body mammals, so they seek warm places to survive the cold winter temperatures. Additionally, food becomes scarcer during the winter months, so rodents get desperate for places that will provide food and shelter. These opportunistic rodents will also be drawn to homes that have more to offer them. It’s a good idea to take a quick survey to see if your home has some of those factors that can attract rats, such as:

• Indoor messiness – If you leave food out or don’t clean up, you might be setting the stage for a rodent infestation.
• Outdoor clutter – Rodents are looking for shelter from the cold. Take a quick scan around the outdoor of your home to see if you provide through woodpiles, leaf piles, shrubs or debris.
• Pet cleanliness – If you are a pet owner, you’re more likely to have rodents visit your home. These pesky mice and rats are attracted to your pet’s food and excrement.
• Easy access – If you leave access to food in your trash cans or compost heaps and standing water around your property, you’re leaving yourself open to an unwanted visitor.

How do you prevent mice from entering your home?
Being proactive to prevent rodents from coming into your home is the best strategy. Here’s how you can keep them at bay:

• Secure the attic by closing holes and openings, especially along the roofline. It’s also good to clear away items that provide shelter for rodents like cardboard boxes and debris.
• Check your basement for possible entry points. Look for cracks in your foundation or gaps in your plumbing and ductwork that lead outside and are easy entry points for rats and mice. You can also look and listen for air drafts that indicate how rodents are getting inside.
• The garage is another common place for rats and mice to sneak into your home during winter. Keep your garage tidy and seal off entry points to proactively keep the rodents from getting in through this part of your home.
• Access to the inside of walls via heating and cooling ductwork is another common entry point into the home. It may require a professional’s help, but closing unnecessary openings can help you avoid the potential for a rodent infestation.

How do I tell if mice are in my home?
If you suspect that rodents have made your home theirs, the key is to act swiftly to prevent the problem from growing. Unfortunately, if you see one mouse or one rat, chances are high that there are more. Here are some signs that should alert you that you have rodents in your home:

• Bite marks on packages of food
• Shorting in wirings such as lights or appliances that can occur due to chewing on cords and cables
• Small black specks that could be droppings around the house
  • Tip: The harder the droppings, the older they are

What do I do if mice are in my home?
If you’re already dealing with mice or rats inside your home, here's what you can do to get rid of these unwanted house guests.

• Set up mousetraps where you see signs of infestation
  • Traps come in different styles and electric traps and poison are options to consider depending on the severity of the issue
• Seal potential entry points
• Remove anything that's enticing to rodents like stored food or debris piled up at the infestation site
• Hire a professional to quickly address the issue at hand and to treat your home to avoid future infestations