Keeping Mice and Rats Out of Your Home in Bellingham and Whatcom County

Mice and rats can survive in cold weather. However, when it’s cold they require more food and go looking for places to nest. That can drive them inside barns and houses. When it’s warm outside, there is plenty of food and shelter between seeds, berries, bushes, grass, and logs. Once the temperature is cold outside, buildings provide secure spaces, protection and food and water. A mouse or rat problem may exist in the summer, but it becomes more apparent in the winter. Young mice and take just a month to reach maturity. Rats reach maturity in approximately 2-3 months. Therefore, large populations of rodents are looking for shelter and food once cold weather appears.

Here are some tips for keeping mice and rats out of your home:

• Keep potential entrance points sealed with caulk, mesh, or sheet metal.
• Repair gaps and thresholds in your doors and windows.
• Look for any gardening supplies such as seeds and bulbs and place them in sealed containers.
• Keep garbage in sturdy containers and away from buildings

Signs that rodents are active in your home include increased droppings, nesting materials such as shredded paper, fabric, or food packaging. While bait and traps can eliminate a few individual rodents, it’s best to contact a professional pest management company such as Environmental Pest Control. Environmental Pest Control has the equipment and experience to efficiently clear your home of rodents and protect the health and safety of your family and pets.