When winter is coming, you won’t be the only one trying to keep warm. Rats will be doing everything they can to keep from freezing, including finding a way into your comfortable home. You can prevent this from happening by understanding a few facts about these pests and taking some action.
Winter Habit of Rats
You may not like the comparison much, but rats are like humans in many ways. Just like you, they need food, water, and shelter in the winter. During the warmer months, this shelter might include any number of places around your property. However, when the cold hits, these rodents will be looking to upgrade their accommodations, and your house is a great option.
Signs You Have Rats Already
Before doing anything to make your home rat-proof for the winter, you’ll want to make sure you don’t have them living with you already. Signs of rat infestation are not hard to miss, but you might not see them if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Rat droppings, which are small, dark, and oval, are a dead giveaway. Additionally, you’ll see small spots or mini puddles of urine near the droppings. On top of that, you might see damage to wood or cables that have been gnawed by rats.
How to Keep Them Out
If you’ve already got them, you should call for pest control Scottsdale AZ immediately. However, if your house is clear, then follow the steps listed below to keep it that way.
- Clean up Outside – If you have clutter around the outside of your house, rats will use it as a staging ground to get into your home.
- Seal Holes – Even the tiniest hole can eventually become an entryway for a rat.
- Keep Food Contained – Keep both fresh food and garbage contained and sealed so odors won’t draw more rodents to your home.
- Professional Inspection – Have a pro give your place a quick look just in case.
