Keep Rodents Out This Winter: Expert Tips to Protect Your Home

Keep Rodents Out This Winter: Expert Tips to Protect Your Home

As the weather turns colder, rodents begin searching for warm places to shelter—and your home might be at the top of their list. Rodents need three things to survive: food, water, and shelter. If your home provides these essentials, it could become their winter retreat. To help you keep these unwanted guests out, I spoke with Scott McGrath of McGrath Pest Control who shared practical tips to protect your home from infestations.

How Rodents Get Inside

Rodents are experts at finding ways into your home. They can squeeze through openings as small as a quarter! That tiny gap under your door or hole in your siding could be all they need to sneak inside.

Key takeaway: Inspect your home for any openings and seal them. Prevention is your first line of defense.

Signs of Rodents in Your Home

Once inside, rodents often head to the attic for warmth and safety. Here are common signs of a rodent infestation:

Sounds in the attic: Rustling or scratching at night or early morning.

Burrow holes: Look for holes in attic insulation where rodents may be nesting.

Droppings: Found near flooring, water heaters, or AC units.

Teeth marks: Rodents may gnaw on foam pipe insulation or other materials.If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to act.

The Best Way to Catch Rodents

The expert recommends using rodent snap traps in your attic to catch unwanted visitors. These traps are effective and straightforward. However, avoid putting rodent bait in the attic—it’s a mistake many homeowners make. Bait can cause rodents to die in hard-to-reach areas, leaving you with a lingering odor that’s nearly impossible to eliminate.

Prevention: The Key to Long-Term Protection

Stopping rodents from entering your home is the most effective way to avoid an infestation. Here’s what you can do:

Exclusion is a must: Seal all potential entry points around the exterior of your home. Pay special attention to gaps around doors, windows, and vents.

Rodent bait boxes: Place bait boxes around the perimeter of your home or fence area. These reduce the likelihood of rodents entering your property by controlling their population outdoors.

Partner with a Pest Control Expert

Protecting your home from rodents is an ongoing process, and a professional can help ensure it’s done right. Whether it’s inspecting for entry points, placing traps, or setting up bait boxes, an expert can customize a plan to keep your home rodent-free.

If you're ready to safeguard your home this winter, contact McGrath Pest Control Service for trusted and reliable services. Visit their website to learn more about how they can help you keep rodents out for good.

Don’t wait until you hear the rustling in your attic—start protecting your home today!