Rodent Prevention 101: Best Home Safety Practices

Pesky rodents can be more than just an irritant: They can transmit diseases and cause property damage to boot. This is the first defense against them coming into your home. Begin with keeping your house clean and without access to food. Keep stored food in airtight containers, empty the trash often and don't leave pet food out overnight.

It’s also important to seal entry points. Look for openings in the walls, floors, doors, and windows of your home, cover them with caulk, steel wool, or weather stripping to prevent rodents from entering. Inspect around plumbing pipes, vents, and utility lines, as rodents commonly enter homes through these openings.

"Some additional prevention is to place traps or in Bait stations in those areas where you might be able to see something going on such as basements, garages, and attics." Hiding places are also decreased by keeping outdoor areas maintained and free of overgrown vegetation and storage areas kept in good order. Integrate the attention to cleanliness, home care and specific control and you are able to minimize levels of rodent infestations."