The Thanksgiving season is all about welcoming family and friends into your home for warmth, good food, and great company. But as you prepare your feast, are you accidentally sending an invitation to some guests you’d rather not have at your table? We’re talking about rodents! As temperatures drop, mice and rats are looking for a cozy place to spend the winter, and your home—filled with the delicious smells of Thanksgiving—is looking mighty fine. You shouldn’t have to worry about what’s scurrying in the walls when you’ve got a turkey to cook and guests to entertain. Let’s talk about why rodents are so attracted to homes this time of year and what you can do to keep rodents out and make sure your only guests are the ones you invited.
It’s no coincidence that you might notice more signs of rodent activity as the holidays approach. Several factors make your home particularly appealing to mice and rats during this season.
First and foremost, it’s getting cold outside! Rodents are warm-blooded mammals just like us, and they need a warm place to survive the winter. Your heated home is the perfect five-star resort, offering shelter from the dropping temperatures.
Thanksgiving is a feast for everyone, including pests. With all the cooking and baking, your kitchen is filled with tempting crumbs and spills. Open food containers, overflowing trash cans, and leftover scraps create an all-you-can-eat buffet that rodents just can’t resist.
Increased foot traffic during the holidays means doors are opening and closing more often. All it takes is a moment for a curious mouse to slip inside unnoticed. Rodents are also experts at finding small gaps and cracks in your home’s foundation or siding to use as their own private entrance.
Ready to tell those pests they’re not on the guest list? A few simple, proactive steps can make all the difference in keeping your home rodent-free this Thanksgiving.
Take a little time before the holiday rush to inspect the outside of your house. Look for any small cracks, gaps, or holes in the foundation, around pipes, and where utilities enter the home. A mouse can squeeze through an opening the size of a dime! Use steel wool and caulk to seal up any potential entry points you find.
We know you’re busy, but staying on top of kitchen messes is one of your best defenses.
Your yard can be a staging ground for rodents planning to move indoors. Keep firewood, leaf piles, and other debris stacked at least 20 feet away from your house. This removes potential hiding spots and makes your home a less attractive target.
You have enough to worry about this Thanksgiving without adding pests to the list. By taking these few preventative steps, you can help ensure your holiday celebration is memorable for all the right reasons. Because you don’t want to worry about who (or WHAT) you’ll find in your home.
If you’ve already seen signs of rodents, like droppings or gnaw marks, don’t wait. Contact a rodent control professional today for a thorough inspection and a plan to get your home back to being just for you and your invited guests.
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