Identify and Prevent Rodent Infestations | US EPA (2024)

FAQs

How do you prevent rodent infestation? ›

Seal holes inside and outside the home to keep rodents out. This may be as simple as plugging small holes with steel wool, or patching holes in inside or outside walls. Remove potential rodent nesting sites from your property, including leaf piles and deep mulch. Clean up food and water sources in and near your house.

Most rodents are identifiable by behavior, specific body features and coloration. Some rodents bear tails that are much shorter than the lengths of their bodies, while others have tails that far exceed that length. Rats tend to have hairless tails and ears and are larger in size than most mice.

Rodent Infestation Causes

And, one of the easiest ways to do that is to have plenty of food and water. If you have other pets that you leave a food bowl out for, you may be attracting some unexpected visitors. The second most common cause is warmth. Rodent infestations can happen any time of the year.

The method most commonly used in buildings is trapping. Often local traps are available and in some cultures people are very good at using them. They should be placed where rats move regularly. If placed along a wall, the trap should be perpendicular to it and the treadle with the bait should face the wall.

Rodents will eat almost anything. To get rid of rats you must get rid of their food. Common outdoor food sources include: bird food (all varieties), squirrel food, pet food, food waste in open home compost bins, fallen fruit from fruit trees, blackberries, garbage, grass seed and pet feces.

Bait stations are a very effective form of mice and rat control. After a rodent nibbles some of the bait (which is poison disguised as rodent food), it will die within a couple of days. Mice are curious eaters and will likely accept the bait quickly.

Peppermint oil — Essential plant oils like peppermint, rosemary, citronella, sage and lavender have strong botanical scents that rats dislike. One customer successfully repelled a rat by stuffing a peppermint oil soaked tissue into the rat hole chewed into the wall. The rat appeared to never come back.

What is the most common rodent? ›

House Mice

In fact, the house mouse is the most commonly found rodent in every part of the globe.

How Many Rats Is Considered A Rat Infestation? Rats are very social mammals, if you see one, there's more. If you see 3 to 4 Rats at a time, then you have a rat infestation. Particularly if you see babies running around, then there are nesting sites that need to be found & removed.

Close all holes and cracks greater than ¼ inch with expandable foam. Seal all pipes leading to outside water supplies, garden hoses and hot water tanks with steel or bronze wool. Check and maintain all vents and gaps in attics and under windowsills to ensure that they do not provide easy access points.

Eucalyptus oil

It has been proven to have strong repellent effects against rodents. It can significantly reduce the likelihood of an infestation when applied around the house.

Effective rodent control involves eliminating food sources to deter mice and rats from entering your home. To keep mice and rats away, focus on cutting off their food supply. Make sure your kitchen is clean and tidy, store food in sealed containers, wash dishes right away, and take out the trash often.

It depends on what kind of infestation you have on your hands. For a relatively minor infestation, it will take around 3 weeks to eliminate rats. This is when you have a couple of rats scuttling around, but it's nothing serious. On the other hand, if you have a severe infestation, it can take up to 3 months to solve.