Rodents 101
Get rid of places where they can hide or live. Remove unused clutter in and around buildings. Demolish old or unused structures. Clean up interiors, especially cluttered areas like garages, attics and basements. Move items off the floor at least 19 cm and away from the walls at least 35 cm. Keep building perimeters clear of vegetation and junk/debris. Clear debris out from underneath porches. Cut tall grass and weeds back from buildings. Keep bushes and trees around buildings trimmed so that 25 cm above ground is clear. Avoid vines or low-lying cover plants near homes. Store firewood and lumber away from buildings in single file rows and at least 35 cm off the ground. Place bagged items, such as grass seed and pet food, in hard-walled storage containers raised off the ground. Avoid landscaping with dense bushes next to buildings and climbing vines, which create rodent harbourage and provide opportunities for rodents to climb and enter structures. Wear gloves and a mask to clean up safely. Rodents are attracted to the smells left behind by other rodents. Prevent rodents from coming by cleaning areas where they’ve previously been with pressure-washing or spot treating with bleach solution. Get rid of droppings, nesting material and damaged food. Clean urine stains, rub marks, or tracks with a mild bleach solution.
