Many rodents chew on electrical cords and wiring, and can damage other structural units within buildings. There are numerous cases of rodent induced fires, caused by damaged electrical wiring that results in property loss and a decreased safety level.
Rodents also carry a variety of diseases that are transmissible to both people and pets. Such diseases include salmonella, brucellosis, tuberculosis, and so on. Therefore, rodent control, as well as termite and pest control, are crucial to maintaining a healthy environment.
Exclusion as a preventative strategy
Rodent exclusion is a preventative strategy that denies rodents any access to a building. It involves closing up all areas of the building through which rodents are likely to sneak in. Exclusion is considered a crucial defense against rodent and pest intrusions. It’s always easier and safer to keep rodents out than have to deal with an infestation once it happens.
1. Fill the gaps
Rodents are small and they easily sneak into buildings. They find entry points, such as holes and cracks, so that they can easily enter and leave the building whenever they want. The major thing a rodent control provider should do is inspect the facility and close all vulnerable areas.
Sealing all the possible entry points that rodents can sneak through is the decisive point in rodent exclusion. These entry points include drain pipes, foundation cracks, improperly shut vents, and similar gaps. The main point is to ensure a minimizing of all possible rodent pests’ traffic routes.
Any hole or gap needs to be well sealed. Smaller gaps can be stuffed by using purfoam or copper mesh. For wider cracks or holes, you may use hardware cloth and a wider mesh to ensure that the area is properly repaired.
2. Repair windows and doors
If there are gnawing marks on windows and doors, these should be replaced or repaired. This includes adding a metal plate on the damaged spot to prevent additional gnawing. All the broken window panes and door screens should be replaced or repaired, too.
Buildings made of stone are very easy to climb for rodents. By painting a band all the way around the building using high gloss paint, you can successfully prevent rodents from climbing. This high gloss painted band should be at least 3.5 feet off the ground, so as to prevent rodents from even entering the building.
3. Disable rodent pathways
Since rodents are climbers, they use pipes that are placed vertically on the building walls as direct pathways into the buildings. To prevent rodents from climbing and approaching the roof, you can paint around the pipes using high gloss paint.
Make sure you check the roof and the chimney and see if there are any cracks or gaps. All roof screens and ventilators should be properly secured and repaired, if needed. The chimney is just another entry point for rodents and should be properly maintained or closed when not in use.
Moreover, rodents climb on the trees near buildings and find their way inside this way. In case there are any tree branches that hang over the building or touch the outside walls or roof, they should be cut off. Rodents often use tree branches as pathways into a house.
4. Remove food and water sources
If you have a pet, make sure you remove all uneaten food when possible. After feeding your pet in the morning or at night, remove any food leftovers and store the food safely. Rodents will not only taste or eat your pet’s food, but they will contaminate the leftovers, too. You should also remove any bird feeders to prevent rodents from using them as a food source.
5. Keep the inside of the house clean
Rodents enter a house or a building in search of food. In order to ensure they don’t find any food, you should keep your kitchen clean. It is always a good idea to wipe your countertops with vinegar since the acid removes the odor trails that attract rodents. All dirty dishes should be in the dishwasher and all the food should be put away.
Grainy food, such as rice, beans and nuts should be stored in sealed glass jars. You should sweep your floors and clean up any liquid spills on them. Garbage should be thrown away to avoid any odors that would attract rodents. If you remove all food sources and water, as well as nesting and breeding sources, you can ensure a rodent-free environment.
Rodent exclusion benefits
Rodent control services support pest exclusion for many reasons. Rodent exclusion is not only effective; it is safe for humans and the environment as well. While traditional rodent and pest control involves hazardous pesticides, these rodent exclusion tips are not compromising of your health or your pet’s health at all.
Because buildings are areas where people live or work, it’s essential to provide a healthy and rodent-free environment. DIY rodent exclusion is an affordable and highly efficient approach to rodent management.
However, it is crucial to acknowledge that rodents and pests are one of the key factors in our eco-system. There should be a balance between rodent elimination and rodent prevention, in order to keep the natural ecosystem intact.