There is no doubt fall is one of the perfect seasons that just screams of cozy days, long holidays, festivities, and a good time to rewind. Turns out, pests think the same. Although there is still some time for fall, but being proactive is always a good approach to tackling pests. Especially rodents!
When we think of fall, we imagine ourselves enjoying hot cider tucked in a blanket. But guess what else you should be thinking about? How to keep mice and rats from getting inside your house.
Pest control in Virginia Beach for Mice and rats may not be the first thing on your fall checklist, but believe me, they’re plotting their way in the second that temperature drops. And once they’ve made themselves at home in your attic, walls, or pantry, they’re very hard to evict.
But here’s the good news: you can keep them out. And it doesn’t take a truckload of traps or harsh chemicals—it just takes a little foresight, a few proactive moves, and knowing what these sneaky little furballs are after.
Let’s dive into it.
Why Fall is Prime Rodent Season
Rodents are survivalists, plain and simple. They don’t just waltz into your house for fun—they’re after three basic things: food, warmth, and shelter.
When the weather cools down, outdoor food sources disappear, and the comfort level drops. Your home, on the other hand? It’s warm, full of tasty treats, and insulated. In short, it’s haven for them.
While most summer bugs stay outdoors, mice and rats look for ways to get inside. And they’re good at sneaking in. But there is no crack and gaps in the house for mice to sneak in – you might argue. Mice can squeeze through holes as small as a dime. A dime!
So, if your house has even one little gap under a door or crack in the siding, consider it an open invitation.
Tip #1: Seal Up the Gaps Like a Hawk
The first step is boring but critical—seal your home up tight.
Walk around your property slowly and look for any cracks or holes. Pay special attention to areas where utility lines enter your home (like dryer vents, pipes, and electrical cables). Rodents love those.
Check door sweeps, window screens, and the corners of your garage door. If you can see light coming in, a mouse can probably squeeze through.
Use caulk, steel wool (they can’t chew through it), and weather stripping. It’s a little tedious, but think of it as putting your house in lockdown before the enemy shows up.
Tip #2: Don’t Feed the Freeloaders
We’ve all done it—left a bag of birdseed on the porch or forgot to clean out the grill after a late-fall cookout. But food—even old crumbs—sends rodents a clear message: “Hey, there’s more where that came from!”
Here’s what you can do:
- Bring pet food inside. Don’t leave it on the porch or in the garage overnight.
- Store food in sealed containers. Yes, even in the pantry. Rodents will chew right through paper or cardboard boxes.
- Clean up fallen fruit. If you’ve got fruit trees, get rid of anything rotting on the ground.
Also, don’t forget the trash can area. That’s buffet-level dining for a hungry rodent. Make sure lids are tight and trash isn’t overflowing.
Tip #3: Keep Your Yard Clean
Before sneaking into your home, rodents will first over take your yard. Long grass, stacked firewood, leaf pile, are all ideal places for them to hide and plot that ultimate invasion.
A few quick fall chores can help:
- Rake and remove leaf piles regularly.
- Trim branches that touch or hover near your roof (rats are great climbers).
- Stack firewood at least 20 feet away from your home and elevate it if possible.
Basically, don’t give them a launching pad to your house.
Tip #4: Trust Your Nose and Ears
Once inside, rodents will make themselves at home without even caring out clearing their tracks. Besides the unpleasant sighting, there are some signs that you shouldn’t overlook.
If you’re hearing scratching in the walls at night, or you get a whiff of something musty and unpleasant that wasn’t there before—pay attention.
Also, if your pets start acting funny—like staring at the oven for an hour or sniffing behind the couch like it’s hiding a secret—they might be on to something.
Trust those instincts and investigate early. The longer you wait, the worse it gets.
Tip #5: Know When to Call in Reinforcements
Even with the best prep, sometimes a rodent still gets through. It happens.
But instead of panic-buying ten glue traps and trying to handle it solo, call a pro from pest control companies Virginia Beach. They’ll find the entry points, check for nests, and make sure it’s not just one mouse but a whole family setting up camp.
Think of it like hiring an exterminator-slash-detective—someone who knows where to look and what to listen for.
Wrapping It Up
Fall is meant to be about warm drinks, chunky sweaters, and getting your holiday decor just right—not chasing mice out of your crawlspace at 2 a.m.
But if you stay one step ahead—by sealing up entry points, removing food temptations, and keeping your yard clear—you’ll make your home a lot less appealing to pests.
Because when the cold hits, everyone’s looking for a place to crash… just make sure it’s not your house they choose.
