| It's that time of year where rats and mice are apt to | | | | control mice and rats is to make it impossible for them |
| enter our homes. Lets talk a bit about their abilities and | | | | to enter your home. That can be difficult with mice |
| senses first.Rats and mice cannot see very good | | | | because they can pass through an opening only 3/8 |
| beyond 3 or 4 feet but have a very good sense of | | | | inch thick. In general, all openings greater than 1/4 inch |
| motion up to 30 to 50 feet away and for the most | | | | thick should be sealed for mice and all openings |
| part they are color blind. Rodents are most active at | | | | greater than 1/2 inch should be sealed for rats.Check |
| night.These rodents have a very good sense of taste | | | | all openings around utility lines that enter your home, |
| so baits may be rejected by them if they are | | | | around service conduits such as water pipes, electric |
| contaminated with insecticides or odors from other | | | | wires, air-conditioning units, drain pipes and vents should |
| chemicals. Even touching baits after smoking a | | | | all be sealed. Also check for broken windows and |
| cigarette will make these rodents to shy away from | | | | unscreened vents. Vents should be covered with |
| the baits.Rats and mice also have a good sense of | | | | metal grillwork backed by rust-resistant screening. |
| smell. They mark pathways with urine and use their | | | | Roofs should be checked to see that shingles are |
| sense of smell to recognize the odors of the pathway | | | | down tight and sheathing is complete. Check roof |
| to and from food sources.Their hearing is much better | | | | ventilators, screen vents and in wall vents.Make sure |
| than humans and make noises in various situations | | | | you check under sinks where pipes enter the wall. This |
| such as mating.Rodents have a highly developed | | | | is a great area for mice and rats to enter your home |
| sense of touch due to their sensitive body hairs. They | | | | or business.Copper mesh stuffing, course steel wool, |
| rely heavily on touch and smell to guide them through | | | | sheet metal, hardware cloth and mortar can be used |
| movements. The territories of most rats are between | | | | to seal the spaces around these areas. Just use your |
| 50 and 150 feet from the nest. For mice the average | | | | imagination.These are not all areas that mice and rats |
| territories within buildings are between 10 and 30 | | | | can enter your home. Its impossible for me to think of |
| feet.Rodent Proofing Your HomeThe best way to | | | | everywhere. Like I said, just use your imagination. |