As one of the world’s most common household pests, keeping rats out of your home is a year-round job. However, dropping temperatures means outdoor food and water sources become scarcer during the winter month, so rats are more likely to seek food and shelter indoors at this time of year. And since rats breed quickly, an infestation can present a serious health hazard to anyone living nearby.
On top of that, recent news have surfaced of a possible surge in rats invading people’s homes this winter season. According to The Sun, up to 120 million rats might seek shelter in people’s homes in the UK. While The National Pest Management Association reports that each winter around 21 million homes in the US are invaded by rodents and that rodents are the biggest pest concern in America right now. Therefore, you should really think about winterizing your home against rats and mice.
After all, it’s the best way to prevent a potentially costly problem, as this can stop rats from getting into your house in the first place. So, read on for the most effective preventative steps for winterizing your house against rats, so you can stay pest-free in winter and throughout the year.
Top tips for winterizing your house against rodents
Block off entry points
The first thing you can do to keep rats out of your house is to limit their options for entry. This means blocking up all holes, gaps, and cracks in the exterior of your house, no matter how small!
Pay attention to the gaps around windows, under doors and around pipes and drains in particular. When you find holes, seal them up with caulk or wire mesh, and install screens and sweeps on windows and doors to stop rats getting in.
Use a rat repellent
Rat repellent products can be applied to surfaces around your home to keep rodents away. The chemicals used in RodrepelTM and CombirepelTM products are completely safe and non-toxic. They work by driving rats away from treated areas and dissuading them from coming near your house.
Available in the form of sprays, lacquers, liquid concentrates, masterbatches and wood polish, RodrepelTM can be applied to floors, wire skirting boards, and around possible rat entry points. This can effectively protect your home from invasion and also prevent rats from chewing through wires and cables in your house. As a non-toxic formulation, these products are safe to use in the home and will have no adverse effects on humans or pets.
Lay out non-toxic rat monitoring baits
Non-toxic rat monitoring baits are an effective preventative tool against rats, as they can act as your first warning sign that there are rodents near or inside your house.
Set up these rat biomarkers around entry and harborage points (such as near garbage cans, pipes, behind kitchen appliances and in cupboards) and then check these spots regularly. If you see either biofluorescent or red or pink-colored rat droppings (depending on which type of biomonitoring baits you use) you will be sure that a rat infestation is taking place and will be able to act immediately.
Keep your kitchen clean and your garbage under control
Outdoor food sources can become scarce during winter, so your pantry can easily lure rats indoors. Food waste, dirty utensils, improperly stored food and overflowing garbage can all bring hoards of rats indoors. Therefore, keeping your kitchen clean and your waste organized is a big part of winterizing your home against rodents.
Make sure all food mess and spills are cleaned up immediately, store food in the refrigerator or in sealed, airtight containers and make sure you take out the trash regularly. Kitchen waste should be disposed of outside daily, ideally in rat-proof garbage containers kept at least 10-20 feet from the house.
Clear away outdoor clutter
Shrubs, long grass, garbage cans, recycling, old furniture and firewood stacks are all common harborage sites for rats. If you have a lot of clutter around the outside of your house this can encourage rodents to nest nearby, raising the risk of them finding their way indoors.
Prune your plants, clear away any disused furniture and boxes and store garbage and firewood at 10-20 feet from your house to keep rats at a safe distance.š
Conclusion
Winter is the time of year when your house is most vulnerable to attack from pests, and rats are one of the biggest home invaders. These common pests often come indoors in search of food and water, especially when outdoor temperatures are low, and conditions are hostile. Fortunately, protecting your home from rats is easily done if you take the proper preventative steps.
Sealing up entry points, setting up monitoring baits, laying out rat repellents and staying on top of your kitchen cleaning and waste are all effective measures against rat invasion. Winterize your home against rodents before the cold weather kicks in to reduce your chances of a rat infestation this winter.
Contact us at technical.marketing@ctechcorporation.com if you’re facing problems with rodents and get best remedies to combat the pest menace.
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