Keeping Rodents Out Of Your Food Storage Supply Area
If you have an area in your home where you store food, and you live in a place where rodents are known to be present, you may likely be worried about your food storage becoming compromised by these pests. Here are steps to take to protect your food from a rodent invasion.
Use The Right Lighting
In an area where food is stored, using lighting helps to keep mice and rats away from the items you are trying to protect. Illumination also helps you to see potential problems before they happen. Rodents tend to stay in areas that are darkened in order to avoid coming into contact with threats. If you keep a light lit during nighttime hours in areas where food is present, it is less likely to become a victim of pests.
Package Food Appropriately
Instead of placing boxes or plastic-packaged food items upon a shelf or table, use plastic storage containers to keep them away from rodents completely. Make sure these containers have tightly-secured lids so rodents cannot make their way inside. These tubs will also help to minimize the odor of food. If you are storing leftovers, keep them in your refrigerator or a freezer as these spots are not generally accessible to pests.
Check For Areas Needing Repair
Mice and rats are able to wriggle into very tight quarters if they smell a potential food source. If you have any structural problems with your walls, floors, or ceilings, they need to be addressed so rodents are not able to use them to get to your supply. Fill in crevices with pieces of steel wool and cover it with a layer of caulk as a temporary fix. Replace broken siding portions so rodents do not make their way to the area between your walls. Add weather-stripping around doors and windows if there are large gaps that rodents may use to get through.
Use Traps Or Contact A Rodent Control Service
You do not want to use pesticides in any area where food is located so it does not become compromised. Instead, use traps to kill rodents. These need to be checked daily so you can remove deceased rodents quickly. An alternate idea is to contact a rodent control service to remove pests from your home or business. Be sure to alert them about the presence of food items so they use methods that do not involve chemical agents.
For more information, contact a rodent control service.