Rodent Proofing Your Home

As the temperatures drop, rodents start looking for warm places to shelter. This makes winter the perfect time for them to seek refuge in your home or garden. To keep unwanted guests out, it’s important to take some preventative measures.

Rodent control within the home

Mice are incredibly agile creatures, capable of squeezing through holes as small as the width of a pen. Therefore, sealing any gaps or holes around the perimeter of your building is essential. 

Weep holes and air bricks are common entry points for mice. Ensure weep holes are fitted with covers and narrow-gauge mesh is fitted over air bricks. Remember to look both high and low when inspecting your property, as mice can easily climb up brickwork. If you have tall trees or hedges near your property, trim them regularly to prevent them from touching the roof eaves. Mice can use these branches to gain access to your roof space. 

Placing bait in loft spaces or safely under kitchen kickboards, away from pets and children, is an excellent way to control mice in the home. Additionally, consider using mouse bait boxes throughout your home.

Rodent control in the garden

While rats are less likely to enter your home than mice, they may still be attracted to your garden. Here are some tips to keep them out:

• Compost: Keep your compost in enclosed bins rather than leaving it loose. Compost piles can provide shelter and food for rats, encouraging breeding. 
• Water: Eliminate potential water sources such as dripping garden taps or puddles. If you find rat droppings near a water source, consider using bait in that area. 
• Garden Sheds: Prevent rats from accessing your garden shed by affixing tough wire mesh around the bottom. Placing bait boxes in these areas can also help control any rats that take shelter there. 
• Bird Feeders: Spilled grain from bird feeders is a feast for rats. Remove bird feeders until you’ve successfully controlled the rat population in your garden

By taking these preventative measures, you can effectively keep rodents out of your home and garden this winter. 

View our range of amateur use rodenticides here