Mice and rats are looking for food and shelter. If you cut off access to
those two things, it will help solve your rodent problem.
Keep your kitchen clean
1. Clean areas under stoves, refrigerators and
dishwashers.
2. Store dry food (rice, pasta and grains), dry pet food and birdseed in
metal, glass or plastic containers.
3. Clean pet bowls at night. Place bird feeders with seed away from the
house.
4. Store lumber, firewood and compost away from the house. Elevate
lumber and firewood on pallets. Use thick plastic or metal trash cans
with tightly fitting lids.
5. Rake, collect and remove fruit, nuts and other foods that have fallen
out of plants or trees. Repair all small holes in foundation, walls,
basements, etc. Use caulking, a concrete patch, course steel wool or
copper mesh. You can also fasten a sheet metal plate or cement over
masonry.
6. Properly dispose of garbage.
Restricting Access
To prevent mice and rats from coming indoors, make sure doors and
windows have fine-mesh, well-maintained screens.
Cover vents, ducts, holes around electrical conduits, floor drains and
other openings with copper or aluminum screens, or with metal coverings.
Inspect your foundation, walls, and basement for any rodent holes or cracks.
Plug these holes with concrete, caulking, copper or aluminum mesh or
steel wool.
Sanitation
Keep food areas cleanPut food away each day, and do not leave glasses of
water out overnight.
Keep food preparation and serving surfaces clean, and clean behind
refrigerators and stoves.
Dispose of garbage regularly, and use tight fitting lids of garbage
receptacles. Don't leave food overnight in pet food bowls.
Yard Management
Clip grass and weeds short, and thin shrubbery until the ground
underneath is visible.
Trim shrubs away from walls.
Avoid over-irrigation of lawn and garden, and ensure proper soil drainage.
Move lumber piles, firewood, compost and other potential rodent habitats
away from the walls of your home.
