Winter is a time most of us spend more time cosy in our homes, but we are not the only creatures that want to stay warm, as rats and mice often come indoors at this time of year. Nothing worse than seeing movement out of the corner of your eye and realising you have a rodent problem, and if you do not deal with it quickly, it can become a full-blown infestation in a few weeks.
However, many people are reluctant to put down poison in their homes due to the safety risk, and while there are many natural remedies available to stop rodents it is not guaranteed they will work. Instead, the experts at the British Pest Control Association have shared it is better to take the time to prepare your home by looking for any cracks rodents could enter through. They said: “Mice only need a gap of 6mm to gain entry (roughly the diameter of the eraser end of a pencil) You will need to search for any potential entry points and seal these up with wire wool embedded in quick-setting cement.”
Rodents can only come into a home if there are any cracks or gaps, as they can fit into incredibly tight spaces as long as they spot any small openings.
There are some obvious ways rodents can some in, like if there are any broken spaces around doors or windows, but there are other places many people do not think to check.
Some of the most common ways rodents get into homes if there are any unsealed spots in skirting boards and between the floor and wall junctures.
It is also worth looking around fireplaces, the corners inside closets and between pipes under sinks or washing machines.
Sealing up your home may seem simple, but just taking a minute once a day to check common nesting areas is the absolute best way to keep rats and mice out of your home in winter.
All you need to do is look for any cracks low to the floor, and then stuff some wire wool into any broken areas.
The expert said: “You should focus on low level gaps first as these are the most likely areas for mice to enter. You can then consider any higher up vents or gaps.”
Wire wool, also known as steel wool, is used to prevent rodents as it is made of tough material that rats and mice cannot bite through.
It is also very flexible so will fit into tiny holes that rodents can potentially enter and it will act a as a physical barrier that they cannot break through.
Once you place steel wool around your home, it helps to use some sort of sealant like a cement, caulk or expanding foam to make it as airtight as possible and keep mice and rats away for good.
