How to Get Rid of Rats This Fall

That time of year is here again: rodent season! Every fall and winter in Vermont, the number of rodent infestations in homes and businesses begin to rise. This is because these pests are looking to escape the dropping temperatures outdoors. With Rodent Awareness Week coming, it’s important to know how to protect your home from rodents this fall. Here at Vermont Pest Control, we aim to contribute by helping our communities learn more about the threats rodents can cause to homes and businesses. Today, we’re focusing on how rodents get inside, and what you can do to get rid of them for good. Read on to learn everything you need to know!

How Do Rats and Mice Get Indoors?

Rats and mice alike are very adept at squeezing into the tiniest of openings, which is why they can get into your home much easier than you may want to believe. Most rodents, especially roof rats and house mice, have been known to climb walls as well as jump quite high.

Some young mice can fit into holes that are just 5 mm wide, making any tiny crack or crevice a vulnerability. Rats, on the other hand, are known to climb nearby trees and trellises to get to the roof of your property. From there, they can enter through soffits, vents, and any other opening that is larger than about ½ inch.

Tips to Get Rid of Rats

If you want to get rid of rodent infestations for good, there are a few things you can do. Once they get indoors, rats and mice are likely to hide away in your attic, kitchen, garage, and other places where they can stay warm and have access to food. Exclusion is the key to getting rid of rat problems for good:

1. Inspect your property to look for any openings rodents may have snuck through. By sealing these openings and closing up gaps around vents and soffits, you can effectively keep rodents out.
2. Further rat-proof your property by repairing your roof and monitoring drains. By limiting their access points, you can get rid of the means by which rodents get inside of your property.
3. Look into traps and baits. If you have just a couple of rodents in your property, you can effectively get rid of them using bait or traps. Keep in mind this is not a strong enough solution to get rid of an entire infestation.
4. Get professional rodent control services. If you have a serious rodent problem, the best thing you can do is hire a pest control expert. A professional will know to safely and effectively get rid of the pests for good.

Rodent Prevention for the Fall

Every Rodent Awareness Week, the rodent exterminators at Vermont Pest Control aim to educate our community about the dangers of rodent infestations. To avoid them, it’s crucial to put a stop to rats getting inside in the first place. For more information or tips on keeping rats and mice out this fall and winter, contact us today to learn more!