Effective Rodent-Proofing: Sealing Entry Points and Cracks

Effective Rodent-Proofing: Sealing Entry Points and Cracks

Nobody wants rodents in their home; however, rats and mice are efficient at finding their way inside Boston area properties. The nuisance pests often gain access through gaps or cracks in vulnerable places around your home. Once inside, the pests will nest in your attic, walls, or crawl spaces before accessing your food and water sources. Fortunately, there are some rodent-proofing tips to prevent invasive rats and mice from taking over your home.

Rodent-Proofing Your Home

To effectively rodent-proof your property, start by looking in the most exposed areas both in and outside of your home. Some of the most common entry points that rats and mice use include:

  • Gaps under windows and doors
  • Piping leading to sinks, appliances, and water heaters
  • Dryer vents
  • Floor drains in basements or laundry rooms
  • Wall exposures in foundations, basements, and attics crawl spaces
  • Around openings for electric, plumbing, and gas lines

How to Seal Entry Points and Cracks

Once you’ve identified the areas of exposure around your home, seal them up to prevent rodents from getting through. Steel wool is a thick material that rodents can’t chew through. Simply fill the gap with steel wool and caulk around the area to keep it in place. Larger holes can be filled with cement, hardware cloth, or metal sheeting. Make sure any wet materials used to seal gaps sets properly to ensure your rodent-proofing techniques can’t be chewed or torn through.

The Inefficiencies of DIY Rodent-Proofing

At-home, DIY rodent-proofing may catch some of the vulnerable areas, but it takes expertise to fully ensure rats and mice won’t make it inside your home. Rodent removal professionals will have the experience and equipment to locate rodent entry points and effectively seal them to prevent future infestations. Therefore, the best way to remove rodents and fortify your home is to call the rodent-proofing experts at Critter Control® of Boston.

Professional Rodent-Proofing Services in the Greater Boston Area

At Critter Control® of Boston, our team of wildlife removal professionals use non-toxic, chemical-free, and humane methods to remove rodents and keep them from returning. To schedule your inspection and receive a free estimate for our efficient rodent-proofing and removal services, call us today at 617-975-0440.

Non-Poisonous Rodent Control Options

Non-Poisonous Rodent Control Options

Rodents are often unwelcome guests in Greater Boston area residences and businesses, but dealing with them doesn’t have to involve toxic chemicals. There are actually effective, non-toxic, non-poisonous rodent control methods to keep nuisance rodents at bay.

Common Non-Poisonous Rodent Control Tactics

You don’t need to resort to using harmful chemicals to keep your Boston area property free from nuisance rodents. Here are some eco-friendly and non-poisonous ways to deter mice and maintain a pest-free property.

  • Use Natural Repellents: Natural repellents are a safe and environmentally friendly way to deter rats, mice, and other rodents from your property. Some common natural rodent repellents include:
  • Peppermint Oil: Rodents dislike the strong scent of peppermint oil. You can soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them in areas where rodents are likely to enter or nest. Refresh the oil as needed to maintain its potency.
  • Essential Oils: Besides peppermint, essential oils like eucalyptus, lavender, and citronella can also deter rodents. Dilute these oils with water and spray them in areas where the pests are active.
  • Place Ammonia Near Nests

    Ammonia is another non-toxic substance that can discourage rats and mice from settling in your property. Soak rags or cotton balls in ammonia and place them near known rodent nests. The strong odor will deter them from the area.

  • Encourage Natural PredatorsNature has its own way of controlling pests. Encourage natural rodent predators to inhabit your property. This can include birds of prey like owls, or even a pet cat. These predators can help keep the rodent population in check.
  • Block Potential Nests: Preventing mice and rats from entering your property in the first place is an effective strategy. Here are some ways to block potential entry points:
  • Seal gaps and cracks: Rodents can chew and squeeze through extremely tiny openings. Seal any gaps or cracks in walls, floors, and around pipes with caulk or steel wool.
  • Install door sweeps: Place door sweeps on exterior doors to block the gaps at the bottom that small rats or mice might use to enter.
  • Keep a tidy yard: Remove clutter and debris from your yard that could provide hiding spots and nesting sites for rodents.

Non-Poisonous Rodent Control Services in the Greater Boston Area

If your property in the Greater Boston area is overrun with invasive pests, rely on the professional rodent control experts at Critter Control® of Boston for fast and effective services. At Critter Control® of Boston, we employ humane and eco-friendly techniques to manage rodent infestations, ensuring the safety of your family, pets, and the environment.

Whether you have an existing pest problem or want to prevent one from ever starting, you can count on us for safe and effective services. To schedule an inspection of your home or business and receive a free rodent removal estimate, call Critter Control® of Boston today at 617-975-0440.

3 Effective Rodent Control Methods

3 effective rodent control methods

The Greater Boston area is home to a variety of rodents such as mice, rats, squirrels, and groundhogs. Although these critters are small, they are capable of causing significant damage to your home. Mice and rats are notoriously known for carrying infectious diseases that are harmful to you, your family, and your pets, while squirrels will chew and shred through structures and groundhogs will tear up your yard.

If you’re dealing with rodents on your property, here are three rodent control methods you can implement to help get rid of rodents in your home.

Surefire Rodent Control Tips

To prevent a rodent infestation, try the following rodent control methods:

  • Clean your property

    . Keeping the inside and outside of your home clean and free of debris will leave rodents with no room to nest. Replace the cardboard boxes in your attic or basement with sealable plastic bins and store loose items inside so that rodents can’t nest in or contaminate your belongings. On the outside of your home, clear wood and leaf piles and throw away abandoned tires, unused toys, or old equipment as they provide attractive shelter for rodents.

  • Remove food and water sources.

    Make sure you clean your kitchen counters, appliances, and table after every meal as a few pieces of crumbs are enough for a rodent to feast. Store your food and your pet’s food in plastic or glass containers with an airtight lid to keep rodents from breaking into them. Also keep a tight lid on your indoor and outdoor garbage bins and seal all trash bags tightly.

  • Rodent-proof your property.

    Since many of these nuisance rodents are small enough to fit through holes the size of a nickel, it’s essential to seal all cracks and openings around your Greater Boston home. To cover the holes, you can use caulking, aluminum netting, or steel wool.

The Dangers of DIY Rodent Control

If rodents have already infested your property, then you may be tempted to remove them on your own; however, DIY rodent control methods are often ineffective, costly, and dangerous to both you and the invasive critter. To get rid of rodents from your Greater Boston property, contact the licensed and trained rodent control professionals at Critter Control® of Boston.

Professional Rodent Control Services in Boston

At Critter Control® of Boston, our experienced rodent control technicians use a proven four-step method to permanently remove rodents. Our CritterSafe® process is a safe and humane practice comprised of the following steps:

  1. Inspection: We thoroughly examine your property to determine the size of the infestation.
  2. Removal: We remove all rodents from the premises using safe and humane removal practices.
  3. Restoration: We clean and repair all damages caused by the rodents.
  4. Exclusion: We seal off all entry points to keep rodents away for good.

 If you encounter rodents in your Greater Boston area home or business, keep your distance and rely on the animal removal experts at Critter Control® of Boston. Our rodent control pros will remove all unwanted critters from your property and install safeguards to keep them from returning.

To schedule your inspection and receive a free estimate for our humane and efficient rodent control services, call us today at 617-975-0440.

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