It can be mysterious when you try to keep rodents out of your home and they don't take the hint. This is because all rodents are not the same. The common rodents that get into Denver homes are not wild rodents. They're mostly domesticated species, such as house mice and house rats. These species are highly dependent on humans. They don't want to live in the wild like wild rodents do. They prefer to live in your home and live off of your generosity. But, of course, this isn't the only reason they're difficult to keep out.
Today, we're going to discuss a few factors that make rodents difficult to control. As always, keep in mind that the service team here at Absolute Pest Control is available to assist you with correcting pest problems, and that we offer rodent control in the Denver area.
Wild Rodents & Common Rodents Share This Trait
You may not know this but all rodents that get into Denver homes have one ability that makes it difficult to keep them out: They possess strong incisors (teeth) that can make short work of weatherstripping, door sweeps, and seals around window and door frames.
If you want to keep rodents out, you need to seal exterior entry points and routinely inspect the exterior of your home to identify vulnerable spots that are being chewed. If you have a spot that rodents like to chew, you may bolster the spot by using metal flashing, hardware cloth, or some other material.
Cover
When considering entry points rodents might use to get into your Denver home, you need to focus on voids beneath structures. These act as harborage sites for many pest animals and they also provide essential cover for rodents. A mouse or rat is less likely to chew on a spot that is out in the open.
When they get underneath your deck or some other source of cover, they can freely chew on sole plates and other building materials to gain entry. You can prevent this by installing fencing material around your deck and other structures to keep rodents out. When you install the fencing material, be sure to install it at least a foot below the ground's surface. This will prevent burrowing rodents from digging under.
Rodent Activity
Common rodent pests have many reasons to come into your yard. Some are beyond your control, such as a nearby construction project that drives them out of a neighboring property and onto your property. Some are well within your control. Here are a few examples:
- Garbage is a strong attractant. The scent of garbage can attract a pest mouse or rat from a distance. You can mask the scent of your garbage by putting it in plastic bags and storing it in covered containers. Make sure to get your trash to the curb weekly. If you don't, be sure to clean your receptacles to remove strong odors.
- Seeds are a primary food source. You might not know this but seeds are a dietary staple for mice, rats, and squirrels. If you want to have fewer issues with rodents, it is best to remove bird feeders or place them at least 20 feet from the exterior of your home.
- Rodents hide under objects. As a mouse or rat moves through your yard, it will seek objects to hide under or navigate around. A cluttered yard is perfect for a mouse or rat. Remove any objects that don't need to be out there, and stay on top of yard work. Remove leaf piles, brush piles, grass clippings, and other organic debris.
- Rodents are drawn to stacked wood. If you have firewood, scrap wood from a construction project, lumber, or some other stacked wood source, rodents will love your property. You can make wood sources less of a target by putting them on elevated platforms and getting them up off the soil.
- Rodents hide in landscape vegetation. Inspect your landscaping and address areas where the vegetation is dense. Trim plants near the base to open things up. Remove unnecessary plants, such as weeds and grass. Remove any objects that rodents can hide under, and address moisture problems that create puddles and sources of drinking water for pest rodents.
Professional Rodent Control In Denver
Are rodents a problem for you? If so, you may have conditions or factors that cannot be controlled. At Absolute Pest Control, the rodent control services we provide help with properties that have vulnerabilities or higher than normal rodent pressures. We can evaluate your property and guide you toward the right solution for your specific needs and budget. Reach out to us today to schedule a service visit.
I had the pleasure to work with Justin and he was extremely professional and took the time to answer all of my questions. He put me at ease on all the steps he was going to take in order to get my home back to normal. I would recommend him and Absolute Pest Control to my family and friends.
