Keep Out! 3 Steps To Keep Pests Away This Winter
Summer is almost over, which means that cooler temperatures will soon be here. Unfortunately, cooler weather often brings uninvited guests in the form of four-legged rodents. Mice love to find ways into warm and cozy homes during the winter months. If you're not prepared for the invasion, you could end up with a nasty infestation of mice this winter. Luckily, there are some things you can do to keep the pests away. Here are three steps you should take to prevent rodent infestation.
Keep the Kitchen Clean
When searching for a place to stay for the winter, mice are drawn towards homes that provide easy access to food. Once they smell food, they'll investigate the source. If your kitchen has food – whether fresh or crumbs – mice will move in. To prevent infestation, the best thing you can do is keep your kitchen clean. Follow these simple tips to deter mice from entering your kitchen. Wipe down your counters after each use, preferably with a bleach and water solution. The bleach and water solution will eliminate the scent of food. Store dry foods in airtight containers, instead of their original containers. Sweep your floors to remove crumbs, especially along the baseboards. Keep a lid on your trash can and keep the area swept clean.
Store Dog Food in Covered Containers
If you have dogs, and you store their dry food in the original container, you could be inviting mice to come and dine. To keep mice away, your dry dog food should be stored indoors, in a plastic, airtight container. For maximum protection, you should feed your dog's indoors. This will ensure that their food bowls aren't left outside for the mice to smell.
Move the Woodpile
If you have a fireplace, you probably have a woodpile somewhere in your yard. If it's located near your home, you could be providing mice with a safe place to hide. To keep mice out of your home, you should store your wood towards that back of your yard, preferably near the back fence. This will make it more difficult for mice to scamper from the woodpile to your home.
With winter just around the corner, it's time to rodent-proof your home. Use the simple tips provided here to make your home less attractive to the mice in your neighborhood. For additional tips on how to keep pests away this winter, be sure to speak to your pest control agent.