Rodent Control Tips for Denver and Colorado Springs Residents This Winter

With winter in full swing in Denver and Colorado Springs, you may think it’s the right time of year for a reprieve from pest infestations. Unfortunately, that is far from the truth. Although insect activity slows down during our cold winters, rodent activity increases this time of year as these furry critters search for a warm place to live that provides acceptable food and water sources. 

Knowing how to prevent rodents from getting into your Denver or Colorado Springs home is essential. These pests are destructive, and they can be harmful to your health as well. EnviroPest has been serving Colorado homes since 1965, so we know a thing or two about rodent prevention. The following rodent control tips for Denver and Colorado Springs residents will help you keep your home rodent-free this winter.

Eliminate food sources

It should come as no surprise that rodents need food to survive. They'll go somewhere else to find one if they’re in a place without a food supply. That means that you can make your property, both inside and outside your house, an area where food is hard to come by. 

Of course, you need food to survive, so you can’t simply remove all food from your home. However, you can make it next to impossible for mice and rats to access the food you have. Inside and outside your house, employ the following recommendations:

• Store all food in the refrigerator or hard-sided, sealed containers.
• Wipe down counters, pantry shelves, and cupboards regularly to remove spills, messes, and food particles.
• Wash dishes immediately after use. 
• Take out the trash regularly.
• Sweep or vacuum your floors on a routine basis.
• Remove bird feeders from around your property.
• Don’t leave pet food outside; store it in a sealed container.

If rodents can’t find food around your property or in your house, they are much less likely to stick around.

Reduce water supplies

Just like food, rodents need water to survive. It can be harder for them to find water in the winter since most standing water freezes. That makes it imperative that the inside of your home is free of water leaks and moisture build-up. Do regular inspections to ensure you have no leaking pipes or overly drippy faucets. You should also ensure that rooms that tend to become humid, such as bathrooms and laundry rooms, are well-ventilated.

Remove harborage areas

Rodents are cautious creatures that prefer to spend time in secluded areas. They won’t usually get close enough to your house to get inside if they can’t hide now and then as they make their way across your property. The same goes for inside your home. If there aren’t any areas where they can hide, rodents are much less likely to stay in your house. 

By reducing the harborage areas outside and inside your house, you can make it less likely that rodents will get and stay inside. Removing as much clutter as possible, especially in storage areas like the attic, will make it harder for rodents to find suitable spots to build their nests. Keeping your yard well-maintained by removing debris and trimming your landscaping will make it harder for them to approach your house while remaining out of sight.

Seal entry points

Rodents won’t enter your house if they can’t find an entry point. Sealing the entry points into your house can be difficult because some are so small that they go unnoticed. Take a look around the exterior of your home and make a note of any spot that would allow rodents to get inside. Keep in mind that mice can fit through an opening as small as a dime. Once you know what areas they might use to gain access to your house, you can start sealing off those areas. 

If this seems daunting, that’s because it is. EnviroPest offers our Enviro Guard service for pest exclusion if you'd prefer to hand over the responsibility. Enviro Guard is an integrated pest management program that delivers professional exclusion to keep rodents and other pests out of your house by sealing entry points and installing physical barriers. To learn more or to schedule your inspection, contact us today.

Sign up for year-round rodent protection

In addition to the steps you take to prevent mice and rats from getting into your Denver or Colorado Springs home this winter, you can’t go wrong with Smart Home Pest Control with Digital Rodent Monitoring. EnviroPest’s Anticimex SMART rodent control system operates non-stop to protect your home from rodents and give you peace of mind. Not only does this system detect rodent activity and pinpoint problem areas, but it also alerts us to those issues so you don’t have to do a thing. 

Contact EnviroPest today for home protection from rodents and other common pests, such as spiders and roaches. We will keep your home free of pests this winter and throughout the year.