Portland is known for its mild climate and lush vegetation, but unfortunately, this attracts unwelcome guests in the form of rodents. If you want to keep these pests out of your home without resorting to traps or toxic chemicals, there are a number of eco-friendly rodent prevention measures you can take. Read on to find out the five best ways to rodent-proof your Portland home.
What is Rat Exclusion?
Rats in Portland, they’re everywhere which is why you need to get proactive! Rodent exclusion is a method of pest control that works to keep rodents from entering a structure. It involves the use of materials such as caulk, steel wool, and wire mesh to seal potential entry points and prevent rodents from entering. Now, this is essentially “rat-proofing a home,” and it’s part of an integrated pest control solution.
Why do rats keep getting into my attic? Why are there mice in my crawlspace? I’ve just had a rat exterminator deal with the rat infestation in my home.
If you keep asking yourself these questions then chances you’re in need of some expert professional pest control services.
Campbell Natural Pest Control is here to help! Devoted to providing you with eco-friendly and ethical solutions. Campbell Natural Pest Control implements effective, integrated pest control plans that:
- Prevent rats and mice from entering and re-entering your home.
- Ethically reduce the rodent population on your property overtime.
- All pest control services are eco-friendly and family friendly
5 Ways to Rodent Proof your Home in Portland, OR
Mice and rats are two of the most common pests, and their presence can cause numerous problems. They can damage furniture, property, and even contaminate food. Furthermore, mice and rats may carry diseases that can be passed on to humans or other animals. If you suspect you have a mouse or rat infestation, it is important to take immediate action. Prevention is the best course of action, such as sealing any holes or cracks in walls or floors. However, if the problem persists, professional extermination services may be necessary.
Identifying Entrances: How to Identify Potential Entry Points for Rodents
Rats and mice, well here in Portland, they are are huge pest problem! When it comes to tackling a rodent infestation, it’s essential to first figure out how and where these pesky critters are entering your abode.
1. Inspect the exterior of the building for any openings that could be used as entry points. Look for gaps in doors, windows, foundation walls, vents, and utility lines.
2. Check for holes in the foundation or siding of the building that could be used as entry points.
3. Look for cracks and crevices in the foundation or walls that could provide a pathway for rodents.
4. Inspect the roof for any damaged or missing shingles that could provide an entry point.
5. Check around pipes, drains, and vents to make sure they are secure and not providing a potential entrance.
6. Inspect areas where different materials meet (like wood, metal, and concrete) to make sure there are no gaps that could provide an opening.
And, How to Seal Entry Points
1. Seal Gaps and Cracks: Inspect the exterior of your home for any cracks or crevices in walls, foundations, or rooflines and seal them using caulk, steel wool, or expanding foam.
2. Install Weatherstripping: Fit weatherstripping around windows, doors, and other entry points to block rodents from entering your home.
3. Screen Vents and Chimneys: Cover air vents and chimneys with metal screening to prevent rodents from entering.
4. Keep Yards and Garbage Clean: Maintain a clean and tidy yard by regularly picking up debris and keeping garbage sealed in lidded containers.
5. Trim Trees and Shrubs: Trim trees and shrubs away from your home’s walls to eliminate potential pathways for rodents.
6. Use Traps: Set up traps near entry points to catch and remove any rodents that have managed to enter your home.
Part of Pest Management is Understanding How Rats Think!
Rats are scavengers, and they will often seek out shelter when they are faced with an infestation of mice or other rats. Rats have a unique way of scavenging and will look for food, water, and shelter in all kinds of places.
They are also known to take advantage of any cracks or crevices they can find in order to gain access to these shelters. If there is an infestation of rats, it is important to identify and eliminate any potential sources of shelter they might be using. This can help to prevent further infestations and keep your home or business rodent-free.
Exclusion Strategies: Utilizing Exclusion Strategies to Rodent-Proof Your Home
Exterior exclusion strategies – To fill small holes and cracks in building siding, a painter’s caulking is perfect, however for larger openings, a filler like wire mesh or foam should be used before caulking.
Attics and crawl spaces: Rats love to nest in crawlspaces and attics, and in doing so they damage insulation and can leave behind a whole lot of mess. To prevent rats from entering crawlspaces and attics, secure the attic and crawlspace openings by fitting them with tight-fitting doors or installing self-closing screened vents, or shielding them with 1/4-inch mesh hardware cloth.
Trash bins: Make sure all trash cans and dumpster lids fit snugly and that any large drainage holes in the bottoms are securely screened with 1/4-inch mesh hardware cloth. For tulip-style cans, insert a metal disc in the bottom to keep out pesky rodents.
To keep rodents from entering, physical barriers must be put in place to stop or discourage them. However, rodents have sharp incisors that are perfect for gnawing through many materials used for building, allowing them to penetrate despite our best efforts. Materials chosen for rodent-proofing should be as resistant to penetration by rodents as possible, be applied in a manner that deters them, and be as easy to work with as feasible. Regardless of the materials employed, any holes greater than 1/4-inch in diameter must not be left exposed on the interior or exterior of buildings.
For optimal protection against pesky rodents, using galvanized sheet metal of 24 gauge or thicker is highly recommended for most general applications.
Maintenance: Tips for Ongoing Maintenance to Keep Rodents Away
The threat of human health and possible structural damage from rodents in buildings makes it essential to take control – however, successful rodent control is more than just randomly throwing out a few traps; it is an achievable mission.
It is essential to prevent rodents from entering the building or room. To effectively monitor rodent activity within the building, strategically place traps and non-toxic tracking stations in areas where rodents are likely to take refuge.
Campbell Natural Pest Control: The Best Pest Control Company in Portland, OR
When it comes to rat proofing your home, the team at Campbell Natural Pest Control are pros! From sealing up entry points to ongoing maintenance and monitoring, let us handle your rodent problems. So, talk to us today to learn more about rat-proofing your home and natural pest control in Portland.