Rodent problems can be a nightmare. Not only can they spread diseases to your family or pets, they can also do damage to your house’s structure or electrical wiring. They can often go unnoticed for quite some time, since they tend to hide while people are around. If you see one mouse or rat in your house, chances are you already have several running around, and you need to take action to get them out. The best way to do this is to call a pest control company and have them do an inspection. They will be able to clear your house of the current rodent issue, as well as give you an idea of what caused it in the first place, so that you can avoid more problems in the future.

However, being proactive is always the smartest route when it comes to pests, since it means never having to deal with the issue in the first place. Here are a few tips to follow in order to keep your house a rodent free zone.

Reduce Food Sources

The number one way of preventing any pest problems is cutting down on the number one factor that attracts them: food. This doesn’t just refer to the meals you cook and eat, it also refers to spills, crumbs and trash. Rodents aren’t picky, and they’ll happily eat the scraps left over from your dinners. Take your trash out at least once a day, even if it isn't full yet. Make sure your trash can has a lid that attaches snuggly and locks into place. Clean up any spills or crumbs as soon as possible. Make a habit of wiping down every surface you use as soon as you’re done with it, even if it doesn’t look particularly messy.

Seal Entryways

Take a look around your house for possible entryways that pests might use to make it inside your home. Check your walls for cracks or holes. Keep in mind that rodents can use even the tiniest hole to get inside. Fill in anything you find with caulking. Check your windows and doors to make sure there aren’t any gaps around the frames. Patch any holes you find in screens.

Clean Up Outdoors

Rodents tend to hide in bushes and vegetation, so if you have any close to your house’s exterior walls, this might cause you a rodent issue in the future. Keep trees maintained and away from windows and roof. Bushes should stay at least 2 feet away from your house. Another thing to be cautious about keeping too close to your house is woodpiles. Rodents tend to make homes within these piles, so try to keep them as far away from your house as you can.