Cleaning your home after vermin have moved in is essential, but it’s often an overwhelming task for homeowners to think about, especially if the animals left behind a lot of damage. Not only do you have to consider the mess – -including disease-spreading urine or feces — but it’s also crucial to disinfect and do all you can to prevent them from returning. Finding all their hiding spots and repairing damage can be a big job that requires a professional’s help, so don’t feel like you have to should this alone. Look online to find a pro in your area who can come out quickly and help you resolve the situation in a timely manner.
Part of preventing a recurring infestation means thinking about decluttering and finding ways to prevent mice and other vermin from coming inside, such as keeping food and drinks in the kitchen rather than in bedrooms and common areas. You’ll also want to take a close look in the basement, attic, crawlspace, and garage to look for points of entry, and don’t forget to inspect wooden furniture for damage or signs of pests, such as droppings.
Look for damage
It’s amazing to think that an animal as small as a mouse could create such damage to a home, but between nesting and foraging for food, they can wreak havoc on everything from furniture to flooring. It’s important to look carefully for signs of mice all around the house, both inside and out, to suss out where they’ve been and make sure they can’t re-enter. It’s also a good idea to air out any space where droppings or urine was left, and disinfect the area thoroughly to prevent disease.
Have your home professionally cleaned
If cleaning up after an infestation is too overwhelming, consider hiring a professional service to help get things disinfected and spotless. For individuals who own large homes, this can be a big job that requires some assistance, but it can also be too much to handle if the pest problem grew to mega proportions before it was detected. Not only can a service help you get things clean again, they can come back and help you keep things neat and tidy in order to prevent mice from coming back. When considering price, keep in mind this is a great way to ensure your home is fully disinfected and cleaned from top to bottom.
Keep a lid on things
Pet food, fruit, bread, and trash bins are often overlooked when it comes to vermin and their access to them, so it’s a good idea to keep everything tightly closed up. If you have a pantry, make sure there are no openings for mice to squeeze through; look in cabinets to make sure the animals haven’t been nibbling on flour bags or oat canisters, and place things like dog food into a container with a lid to keep little noses out.
Don’t neglect the exterior of your home
The exterior of a home can hold several spots for mice to squeeze through, from air conditioning units to dryer vents, so it’s a good idea to walk around the perimeter of your home and take a look at any potential weak spots. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to seal up vents due to it being a fire hazard, but you may be able to install a metal screen that will prevent mice from being able to crawl through. It’s also advisable to keep grass and shrubs trimmed around the area.
Cleaning up after a vermin problem can be stressful, especially if you’re concerned about the spread of illness or disease. However, with a few changes and precautions, you can mitigate the problem and keep your home and family safe throughout the year.
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