If you’ve ever had a rat problem, then you'll know there are many ways you can prevent these pesky creatures from entering your home — especially in the fall and winter.

Yes, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) recently released a statistic showing that 45% of all annual rodent infestations happen during the fall and winter months.

So if you haven't thought about it before, here's what to do in October to keep rats from coming to life in November or December.

Not only is the thought of a rat living in your house spine-crawling, but we all know that they can carry diseases. And they eat anything in sight — wires, wood, and food.

They also don't need an open invitation to come inside; a large hole or an open window is enough to encourage them in. They're the opposite of escape artists; let's call them entrance assassins.

The two main culprits in the U.S. are Norway rats and Roof rats, and in cold weather, their survival depends on where they live and feed. So when the temperature drops, rats head closer to the heat — if not indoors, they may go toward the insulation beneath your subfloor, up into your roof (because heat rises), or into a cozy garage.

Did you know?
Rats can squeeze through a gap that’s the size of a quarter; for mice, it’s the size of a dime.

Lawns and hedging Let's start outside because yes, it all makes a huge difference. This might be music to your ears, or you may roll your eyes, but a trimmed lawn is an easy, quick way to deter rats.

Source link