Pests Don’t Go Away in the Winter

Rats are just as happy living in a dumpster as they are living under your bed. And, unfortunately, many rats forage through trash during the summer and end up inside people's homes during the winter. Also, rats are notorious for spreading many diseases and parasites. So if you find rats trying to stay warm in your house this winter, follow the tips below to keep the parasite-carrying rodents out of your house and away from your family.

Fix All Water Leaks

If there are rats in your home, you need to figure out how they're accessing water. Many times, this means fixing water leaks. Check your roof for leaks, and repair any you find. Also, check your sinks, toilets, showers, bathtubs, and washing machine for leaks--and fix any leaks as soon as possible.

Remove All Food Sources

In addition to getting rid of water sources, it's also important to get rid of food sources that the rats use to fill their bellies. Keep food covered and sealed to prevent rats from accessing it. Also, keep trash thrown away with a lid on top at all times. 

With human food out of rats' reach, you need to focus your attention on animal food. If you have pets, give them only enough food for one meal at a time. Then store the rest of the food in sealed containers until it's time to feed your pets again.

Prevent Rats From Entering Your Home

With food and water out of reach, your home will be less likely to attract rats. Still, you want to make sure the rodents can't get into your home to sniff around.

If branches from your trees are close enough to your roof, rats will use the trees as a bridge to get into your home. Therefore, you need to be sure to cut back any branches that come in contact with your home. Additionally, keep bushes and other plants around the home cut short to prevent rats from using them as hiding spaces from predators.

Finally, find and patch any holes and cracks that the rats can use to enter your home.

Because rats carry a wide range of diseases and parasites, it's important to keep the rodents away from your family. Stay safe this winter by hiring a trained expert who can quickly find and remove rats, keeping the pests away from you and your loved ones. Contact a company like Affordable Pest Control Inc to learn more.