As the temperature drops, mice and rats tend to seek shelter indoors. Their presence can lead to destruction and the spread of diseases, making it crucial to watch out for signs of infestation. These signs may include a musky smell coming from nesting areas, gnawed clothing and furnishings, rodent sightings, and droppings. Once these signs are noticed, it’s time to take proactive measures to get rid of the mice and rats and prevent further infestation.

Signs that your house is infested with rats

Strange sounds and smell
Droppings and smears
Damage to property
Greasy rub marks
Chew marks

Smart ways of getting rid of mice
Whether you’re considering getting rid of mice yourself or looking to hire professional help, there are a few clever ways to keep mice at bay.

Inspect the house
The first step is to inspect the house and determine where the rodents are coming from. It is especially necessary to inspect the exterior areas of the house.

Seal and fill the gaps
Rats do not need large gaps and cracks to come into your house; a small hole is enough. So, it is essential to cover up, fill or seal all the gaps in the interior or exterior walls when trying to get rid of the pests.

Clean up the house
Clean up all the clutter in and around your house, and push things far away from the walls.

Keep pet food away
Rats and mice love to feast on pet food. So, it is a good practice to clean your pet’s bowls after feeding them and not leave pet food on the ground.

Set traps
Setting a trap is one of the optimal ways of getting rid of mice. Never underestimate its power when trying to get rid of rats. Keeping these traps in the most general areas is always good, but changing the location of the traps after a few days is helpful. Some of the traps used are snap, sticky, and electric traps.

Use natural ingredients
Sprinkling natural deterrents such as crushed pepper near mice openings and holes can be beneficial. This will irritate their noses, and they will not re-enter the house. Peppermint oil and cloves spread at the entrance can also keep rats away. But if you have pets, you should speak to your veterinary doctor before pouring essential oils around your house.

Get a cat
Everyone knows that cats and rats are sworn enemies; bringing a cat home will help in getting rid of rats   and preventing their future infestation in your home.

Use bait stations
These are to be used outside the house. A bait station is an enclosed plastic box with poison inside it to kill rats. You can use the bait stations alone or with the other methods listed above.

Connect with a professional pest management company
If nothing else works, and the infestation is severe, you should call a professional pest management company to get rid of rats. The professionals will determine the cause of the infestation and use various methods and treatments to ensure that rats do not invade your home in the future.

Dangers of mice and rats at home
If you are wondering whether having these rodents in the house is dangerous and whether it is essential to know the measures to get rid of them, the answer is a resounding yes! These rodents are hazardous for the following reasons:

They spread diseases, as their droppings contain harmful pathogens.
They multiply fast, leading to a rise in their population in the house.
They cause damage to property, such as gnawing through books and ruining furniture.
They create noise, especially at night, making it difficult for you to sleep.

In short, rats and mice cause irreversible damage, costing you your health and money in the long term.

The costs involved in   mice control
Are you now considering ways of getting rid of mice and rats from your home? Let us analyze the cost involved in the process.

The cost involved for a full-service extermination visit carried out by the best and most highly trained pest control professionals could be between $300 and $500. However, a denser infestation might cost twice the amount.

Ways of   getting rid of mice outside the house
Rats plague not only the house but also areas outside your house. Some of the ways of getting rid of rats outside your home are as follows:

Keep the garden neat and clean
Use dry ice
Set traps
Use baits and poisons
Contact professionals

We have mentioned some of the ways of getting rid of mice above. If the infestation is severe, it’s always advisable to hire professionals to keep your home and family safe and free from diseases.