Not looking to cuddle with a rodent for warmth? We don’t blame you! Here’s how to keep mice and rats out of your home in the winter.
No matter how tiny they are, rodents have the capability to wreak havoc at your home. Not only are they irritating, but they can cause a lot of material damage and health issues.
Rodents can chew up things at your home, spoil food, spread a number of diseases and inflame or create allergies. So, before they find access to your home and start making trouble, it is vital to rodent proof your home. 
When it comes to rodent proofing your home, you will need to locate all the points that can allow entry to rats or mice and seal all those places. It is also crucial that you maintain proper hygiene and sanitary conditions so as to discourage rodent infestation.
To rodent proof your home, you should start with inspecting the foundation of your building with an aim to discover any holes or gaps. The holes that are large enough to allow for entry to the rodents should be blocked. The best material to block the gaps is a wire mesh or black foam.
2. Check all entry points
The next step towards rodent proofing should be to inspect all the entry points of your home, such as the doors and windows. It must be made sure that all the windows and doors close properly, without leaving any gap in between that can act as an entry point for rodents. In order to bridge any gap, metal kick plates can be used.
3. Examine your roof
The roof of the house should be well examined for rodents as well. Check the ventilators, shingles and chimneys for any breakages, gaps or leaks. If found, the gaps should be filled in, and the chimney has to be kept capped to ensure that no rodents can enter the home through it.
4. Pay close attention to your garden
The garden area also should be properly inspected, to see that there are no piles of rubbish or lots of overgrowth that can be perfect living locations for rats. If there are any tree branches that are close to your house, these can be used as passage by rodents to enter into your home. Therefore, the garden must be well maintained.
5. Watch for pipe or wire lines
Any pipe or wire lines that enter the house from the outside can be possible passage for rodents. Metal rodent guards can be used to avoid access.
6. Cleanliness is important
Rodent proofing requires that adequate cleanliness is maintained, especially in the areas where food is cooked and kept, as any leftovers or open food can invite rodents. The concealed areas in the kitchen should be kept clean, and unfinished food of pets should be disposed off immediately.
As far as possible, clutter and piling up of things should be avoided, as these places can become a home for the rodents.
8. Keep your garbage sealed
Garbage must be kept in sealed bags or containers, and any kind of debris should be removed. It is essential to take care of hygiene and sanitation in order to rodent proof your home.
By implementing these techniques, you can assist in keeping your house from being bombarded with rodents and provide both yourself and your family the comfort of knowing you are living in a safe and sanitary home.
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