How to Get Rid of Rodents In Your Home In Oklahoma City
One thing about being a homeowner is that you have to deal with certain pests that can infest your home, and one of them is rodents. They can damage your home, carry diseases that can make your family at risk and prone to certain diseases.
If you want to get rid of rodents, you came to the right place. Here at Harmony Pest Solutions, we will be sharing with you a blog post discussing the different tips on how to get rid of rodents in your home. If you think this article will be beneficial to you, we encourage you to keep scrolling below to find out more information.
Why are rodents attracted to your home?
Food
Rodents, like other mammals, need food to eat so they can stay alive. Once they find a place where they can find food to sustain them, they are bound to stay there and enjoy their stay for as long as they can.
Shelter
If you live in areas with cold climates, and when the cold months come, rodents will try to make their way inside a home to seek shelter and warmth. Since most of them have small bodies, they can fit inside small holes and tight spaces.
Nesting materials
Rodents create nests to give birth and take care of their young. They usually prefer soft materials like cotton, shredded newspapers, pet fur, insulation, and any other materials they can find in and outside your homes.
How to check if there is a rodent infestation in your home
- Check for chew or scratch marks on food packaging, books, magazines, etc. You can also check for scratches on floors, pantry, and baseboards.
- If you find food crumbs or debris in the pantry, cabinets, shelves, or areas like the garbage can or the middle of the floor.
- When you see rodent droppings that look like tiny elongated pellets. You can find them in corridors, under the sink, in the back of the cabinets, or in corner areas. You can use a flashlight to check the droppings in dark areas easily.
- You see nesting materials such as shredded paper, fabrics, pet fur, string, cloth, or any other soft material.
- You can hear noises like squeaking or scratching in the walls during nighttime.
- Pets bark, scratch, or paw at something under the cabinets, sinks, etc. This can be an indication that your pet knows that there is a rodent infestation in your home.
What are the natural ways to get rid of rodents?
If you have a rodent infestation in your home, you can get rid of them naturally and humanely as much as possible. Check out the tips below on how to get rid of rodents in your home.
Take away their food source
One reason why rodents stay in your home is that they have found a food source. You must remove the things they like to eat. Keep grains, pet food, and dry goods inside metal or glass containers that can be effective in securing the food and seal them inside so the rodents will not be able to get to them.
You want to keep all food sources inside secured and tamper-proof containers. If you have pets, you must avoid leaving pet food out for a long time. If there are food spills and messes in your home, make sure to clean them up immediately. A clean home is not enticing for rodents to live in.
You must check your garden if you have fruits and vegetables growing. You must make sure to pick up dropped fruits and keep the trees pruned to prevent them from having hiding spots for rodents. You can apply a rat guard on your trees by placing a piece of sheet metal at least 2 feet high around the trunk of the trees. Remove any signs of rotten food in the garden.
You can also plant mint to deter any rodents from entering your garden and your home. Spraying predator urine (use fox) on the perimeter of your home to deter rodents. You can find them at a local garden store in liquid or powder form.
Remove and throw away nesting materials
Rodents prefer soft nesting materials so make sure to keep your rugs, fabrics, and blankets inside secure plastic storage bins. Keep in mind they will also chew up paper, newspapers, cardboard, and soft plastic to create their nests so it will be a smart move to get rid of your household’s recycling materials regularly.
You must also check the exterior part of your home. You must check if there are tree branches or foliage within the vicinity of your home’s foundation. Keep your home tidy and clean so the rodents will not have a source for their nesting materials.
Use natural and environmental-friendly products that repel rodents
Rodents are known for having a strong sense of smell. You must use that weakness so you can get rid of them naturally. Use the following products to get rid of the rodents in your home.
Apple cider – You can create a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water. Place it inside a spray bottle and spray it in the surrounding areas near your home.
You must also spray the foundation of your home and the entry points that they can use to access your home. You can reapply the mixture solution regularly or at least once a month.
Essential oils – Rodents hate the smell of essential oils such as cayenne, cloves, pepper, and peppermint oil. You can purchase these essential oils in food stores, supermarkets, or health shops.
Take some cotton balls and soak them with these essential oils then you can place them in areas such as the back of cabinets, under the sink, and below the appliances. You can also use bleach, toothpaste, or vinegar.
Fabric softener sheets – You can place fabric softener sheets on entry points to prevent rodents from entering your home.
Clean up the yard
You must check if there are overhanging trees you should trim them regularly to prevent rodents from using the trees to hop onto your roof. Clean up the debris, clutter, and garbage in your yard. Remember to plant bushes and shrubs at least three feet away from your home as they provide shelter and safe habitats for rodents.
Get a cat
Cats are natural predators of rodents. They can prevent rodent infestation in your home. If you love pets, then you can adopt a cat from your local animal shelter. A cat can be useful in keeping the rodent population down. If the cat is not a good mouser, do not worry because their scent alone serves as a deterrent for rodents.
If you live in an apartment complex that does not allow cats or other pets, you can ask a friend who owns a cat for used cat litter, the used cat litter with cat urine can be effective as a deterrent to rodents. You can put them inside containers and place them at your home’s entrances and other entryways that can be used by rodents to enter your home.
Use ammonia
You can buy pure ammonia from supermarkets and hardware stores. Ammonia smells like predator urine and will help deter rodents. You can place ammonia-soaked cotton balls in areas where rodents like to stay.
Use live traps
You can use live traps and get rid of rodents. These traps can catch live rodents by allowing them to get inside but not out. You can place bait for the rodents such as food so you can trick them into entering the live trap. Once you caught the rodent you can release it in the wild, make sure it is far from your home as it may come back again.
Use sound
Ultrasonic sound can be extremely annoying for rodents. These devices are safe for kids and pets. You can find these units at a local hardware store. You can set it up in areas where you notice any signs of rodent activity.
Hire a pest control company
If you are based in Oklahoma City, you must hire a reliable pest control company like Harmony Pest Solutions. If you do not have the time, materials, or feel ok with removing or dealing with rodents from your home, you must ask pest control professionals to do it for you.
Contact us to get rid of the rodent infestation now and prevent any rodent problems in the future. You can fill up this contact form here if you want to inquire about our services or if you have questions regarding our company.
Is your home infested with rodents and you do not know how to deal with them? If you are located in Oklahoma City, Harmony Pest Solutions can provide the best solution for your rodent problems.
We are based in Oklahoma City and we render services in areas like Canadian County, Cleveland County, Logan County, and Mcclain County.
If you have any questions or inquiries regarding our company or the services that we are offering, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us at (405) 285-0018 or send an email at harmonyokc@gmail.com.
Our office address is 16307 Sonoma Park Drive, Suite #6 Edmond, OK 73013. For all your pest problems and solutions, make sure to choose Harmony Pest Solutions. Call us today!