How to Get Rid of Mice and Rats – Expert Tips to Keep Them Away

At Pest Control-RAF SERV LTD, we understand how frustrating a rodent infestation can be. Mice and rats invade homes searching for warmth, food, and shelter, especially during colder months. If left unchecked, they can quickly multiply, causing damage to your property and posing serious health risks.

Instead of waiting for an infestation to take over, it's best to take proactive steps to prevent rodents from entering your home. Here’s what you need to know about keeping mice and rats at bay.

1. Seal Entry Points to Stop Rodents from Entering

Rodents can squeeze through tiny gaps as small as a quarter-inch. That means even small cracks and openings in your home’s structure can become entryways for mice and rats.

How to prevent this:

Inspect your home's exterior, especially around pipes, vents, doors, windows, and foundation cracks.

Use steel wool mixed with caulk or metal flashing to seal gaps. This prevents rodents from chewing their way in.

Install weather stripping on doors and windows to block common entry points.

By taking these steps, you eliminate the easiest ways for rodents to get inside your home.

2. Keep Food Stored Securely

Rodents are always on the hunt for food, and an unprotected pantry is like an all-you-can-eat buffet for them.

Best practices for food storage:

Store all food in airtight glass, metal, or heavy-duty plastic containers to prevent rodents from chewing through packaging.

Clean up crumbs and spills immediately to remove food sources.

Take out the trash regularly and use bins with tight-fitting lids.

Keep pet food and water dishes inside and avoid leaving them out overnight.

If you feed birds, place feeders far from your home and clean up spilled seeds.

When food is no longer easily accessible, mice and rats have fewer reasons to invade your space.

3. Use Natural Repellents to Deter Rodents

Some natural deterrents can help discourage mice and rats from entering your home.

Peppermint oil: The strong scent is unpleasant for rodents. Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them near entry points.

Predator urine: Products containing fox or coyote urine can scare off rodents, as they instinctively avoid areas where predators might be present.

While these methods won’t eliminate an existing infestation, they can be useful in keeping rodents away.

4. Know the Early Signs of an Infestation

Catching a rodent problem early makes it much easier to deal with.

Signs to watch for:

Droppings: Small, dark pellet-like droppings near food sources or along baseboards.

Gnaw marks: Damage to wood, plastic, or food packaging.

Scratching sounds: Noises in the walls, ceilings, or floors, especially at night.

Nesting materials: Shredded paper, fabric, or insulation in hidden corners.

If you notice any of these signs, take immediate action before the problem worsens.

5. Use Rodent Traps Effectively

If mice or rats have already entered your home, using traps can help eliminate them before the infestation grows.

Choosing the Right Trap

There are different types of traps available:

Snap traps: A quick and effective way to kill rodents.

Live-catch traps: A humane, no-kill option that allows you to release rodents far from your home.

Tips for Effective Trapping

Place traps along walls, baseboards, and pathways where rodents frequently travel.

Use high-protein bait like peanut butter, sunflower seeds, or small pieces of fruit.

Avoid over-baiting, as rodents might take food without triggering the trap.

Check traps daily to remove captured rodents and prevent unwanted odors.

If using live traps, release rodents at least half a mile away in a wooded or grassy area, where they have access to food and shelter.

6. Keep Your Home Rodent-Free with Regular Maintenance

Even after getting rid of mice and rats, ongoing maintenance is key to keeping them out.

Declutter your home: Mice and rats love hiding in cluttered spaces. Keep storage areas clean and organized.

Fix leaks: Rodents need water to survive, so repair any leaky pipes or faucets.

Keep your yard tidy: Trim bushes and trees away from your home and remove piles of wood or debris where rodents could nest.

Schedule regular pest control inspections: A professional pest control service can identify vulnerabilities in your home and provide long-term solutions.

Final Thoughts

Rodent infestations can be difficult to handle, but with the right prevention strategies, you can keep mice and rats out of your home.

At Pest Control-RAF SERV LTD, we specialize in rodent control and offer expert solutions to protect your home or business. If you're struggling with a rodent problem, don't wait—contact us today for professional pest control services in London and surrounding areas.

Protect your home from rodents—Call us now 07586 072087