As temperatures begin to drop and food becomes less accessible outdoors, homes become increasingly susceptible to
mice and rats. One mouse can quickly turn into an infestation, spreading disease and damaging your home. So, what can you do to help prevent this from happening?

• Seal all entry points. Mice can squeeze through a gap as small as one-quarter inch. Depending on the gap, you can use materials like spray foam, caulking, steel wool, and door sweeps to seal these areas. Check for exposures around pipes, vents, on your roof, where the ground and foundation meet, and behind cabinets and appliances.
• Repair screens and weather stripping if needed.
• Keep all food sealed in plastic, metal, or glass containers with tight-fitting lids. Dispose of garbage in closed bins and clean up food, water, and dishes promptly, including pet food.
• Declutter to reduce places for hiding and nesting.
• Keep shrubs and grass trimmed to discourage hiding and nesting.
• Trim trees 6-8 feet from the roof.
• Remove any fallen fruit from trees.
• Don’t leave pet food out overnight.
• Rodent droppings are a common sign of activity — dark, rice-shaped pellets — about one-quarter inch for mice and one-half inch for rats.

Other telltale signs of uninvited guests are scurrying and scratching sounds, and gnawing marks, such as on wood or cardboard. If you notice any of these signs, in addition to taking preventative measures, it’s important to set traps. The sooner you act, the easier it is to stop an infestation.