How to Keep Mice, Rats and Other Pests Away This Winter?

As temperatures drop, rodents, spiders and other wildlife are much more likely to enter homes seeking warmth, food and shelter. Understanding how and why they come into your property in the colder months will help you to keep rodents and other unwanted visitors outside where they belong.

Why do pests enter homes in cold weather?

In the colder months of autumn and winter many pests’ natural food sources become scarce, and they seek shelter indoors. Pests are particularly attracted to the less-disturbed areas of your home, which is why it’s not unusual to hear noises in your attic or basement at this time of year. And rodents can be more than just an annoyance – they can spread disease like hantavirus and salmonella, cause structural damage with their gnawing and contaminate food with pathogens.

Which rodents and other pests might you find in your home?

Rodents like rats, mice, and squirrels are among the most common winter home invaders. However, depending on where you are in the world, you might also find yourself hosting other unwelcome guests.

In the Middle East, these can include pests such as cockroaches, spiders, and occasionally bats. Other local wildlife may sometimes seek shelter in homes, especially during extreme weather conditions.

Rodents are masters of breaking and entering. Mice can squeeze through a gap as small as 10mm – the diameter of a pencil – and rats are equally flexible, squeezing through holes as large as their head. They are excellent climbers too, scaling pipes, textured walls, downpipes and guttering. Sealing even small gaps is vital to keeping rodents out of your home.

How fast can rodents reproduce?

Once inside, a smallish rodent incursion can quickly turn into a major problem. Mice and rats are prolific breeders, and if they find a suitable nesting spot they can reproduce at an alarming rate. A single pair of rats can result in a population of well over 1,000 rodents within a year. Female mice, meanwhile, can have up to 10 litters per year, with the young mice reaching sexual maturity in as little as 4-6 weeks. So a small rodent incursion can quickly become a more serious infestation.

Signs of a pest infestation

If you are concerned about a potential pest infestation, look out for droppings, nests, and gnaw marks, particularly in attics, basements, or behind appliances. You may also hear scratching or scurrying sounds in walls or the pattering of feet, or notice strange smells from hidden areas.

Rodents can cause significant damage while seeking nesting material, shredding papers, cardboard boxes and insulation, and can even gnaw through wires and wooden beams, potentially causing structural damage. Given these risks, it’s important to seek professional pest control assistance at the first sign of rodents in your property.

How to prevent rodents and other problem pests

We’ve developed a handy 7-step guide to help you pest-proof your property against typical autumn and winter pests.

Pest hotspots inside your home – what to do ahead of winter

• Kitchen – Your kitchen is a prime target for rodents, with its range of potential food sources in cupboards, uncovered food on countertops, leftovers, crumbs and so on. You should empty your bins daily, keep work surfaces clean of spills and crumbs, and store food in airtight containers

• Attic – Your warm, dry attic is an ideal nesting place for rodents to build their nests. Keep electric cables protected, block access by replacing missing tiles and repairing roof damage, and store items in plastic (rather than cardboard) boxes.
• Garage – Keep rats, mice and other pests out of your garage by filling in any gaps to the outside; ensure that entrances to the main house are also properly sealed. As with the attic, remove food and nesting sources by storing items in plastic boxes.

Pest hotspots outside of your home

• Garden – Pests love compost, so make sure that you keep your compost in a container with a tight lid. Also remove any debris and rubbish that may accumulate in the garden, and cut back any shrubs and tree branches that are close to the house.

• Outdoor bins – Be careful not to overfill bins, and ensure that they have tight-fitting lids.
• Air vents – Check that vent covers are installed and undamaged to block off a potential entry point for rodents.
• Gutters & downpipes – Keep gutters and downpipes clear of debris that rodents will use for food and nesting material.

What to do if you suspect an infestation?

If you suspect a rodent or other pest infestation, it’s important to act quickly to prevent damage to your property and avoid potential health risks. Contact your local Rentokil Boecker office for safe, effective pest control. DIY solutions may be cheaper in the short-term, but run the risk of not completely eliminating the infestation.

As a global organisation, Rentokil Boecker offers world-class rodent and wildlife exclusion strategies, always starting with a thorough inspection to understand the extent of the infestation and how best to deal with it. In addition to highly trained technicians and the latest technology, we offer ongoing advice and year-round pest protection plans, and always put safety and environmental responsibility at the heart of everything we do – reducing the use of harmful chemicals wherever possible and protecting your family and pets.

Of course, it’s best to prevent pest problems before they arise, so now is the time to start sealing those cracks and crevices, tidying the garden, and ensuring that your bins and compost containers are tightly sealed. Prevention is always the best pest control treatment.