These 8 Items Are Attracting Rodents To Your House
Most of us don’t think we’re doing anything to invite mice or rats over, they just show up! But it turns out, a lot of the everyday stuff we do around the house can be more welcoming to rodents than we realize. If you’re finding droppings or hearing scratches in the wall, it might be time to take a closer look at what’s sitting in your yard or garage. The solution to your rodent problem might be easier than you think.
Unraked Leaf Piles
That big pile of fall leaves that has built up by your fence might look harmless, but to rodents, it’s prime real estate. These piles provide warmth, shelter, and protection from predators. If you’re not planning to compost your leaves soon, it’s best to bag them up. Otherwise, you’re basically offering rent-free housing to critters who’d love to move into somewhere warm and close to your house when winter hits.
Bird Feeders Too Close to the House
We love feeding birds, especially in the colder months. But seed that spills from feeders attract more than just cardinals and chickadees. Rodents will happily scavenge the leftovers, especially when feeders are close to your foundation or porch. Try moving your birdfeeders farther into the yard and cleaning up any seed that has spilled under them every now and then. You’ll still get to enjoy your backyard birds without the bonus mice.
Pet Food Left Outside
Even if it’s in a sealed bag, the smell of pet food can draw rodents from surprisingly far away. And leaving bowls out overnight for your outdoor pets is especially risky. To a hungry mouse, dog kibble is basically a buffet. Instead, bring pet food inside each evening and store it in airtight plastic or metal bins. It’s a small habit change that can make a big difference in what’s sniffing around your porch.
Compost Done Wrong
Composting is great for the environment, but it’s got to be done the right way. If your pile includes food scraps and isn’t sealed or turned regularly, it can quickly become a rodent magnet. To solve this problem, use a closed compost bin and skip things like bread, dairy, and meat. Rodents are scavengers at heart, and an untended compost pile is like leaving the door of your fridge open.
Stacks of Firewood
Piled wood provides the perfect mix of shelter and warmth for mice, rats, and even chipmunks. If firewood is stacked against your house or garage, they don’t have far to go to find warmth and food inside your house either. Ideally, firewood should be stored at least 20 feet from your home and up off the ground so that it’s harder for critters to get to. It’s not just about rodents either, spiders, termites, and snakes love firewood too.
Outdoor Cushions and Furniture Covers
When you’re not sitting on them, those thick outdoor cushions or covers can become hiding spots for small critters. Rodents love to burrow into anything soft and warm, especially as the temperatures start to drop and they’re more desperate to find warmth. If you’re not using your patio set regularly, bring the cushions inside or store them in a sealed outdoor bin. It keeps your furniture cleaner, too. No one likes to find mice nesting in their favorite chair.
Open Trash or Recycling Bins
Even just a sticky soda can or a bit of food residue in your trash bin can be enough to get the attention of rodents. Mice and rats can chew through surprisingly tough materials to get what they want. If your bins aren’t sealed tight, you might be inviting in more guests than you bargained for. Buy a sturdy lid for your bins and rinse your recycling before you toss it in.
Forgotten Fruit Trees or Gardens
A single rotting apple on the ground might not seem like a big deal, but to a rodent, it’s a feast. If you grow fruits or vegetables, especially late in the season, make sure to clean up anything that drops from trees or is left over in garden beds. Harvest ripe produce quickly, and keep an eye out for half-eaten leftovers. Fall gardens are lovely, but you do need to pay closer attention to your crops and the critters.
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Most of these fixes don’t take much time, but they can make a huge difference in keeping rodents far away from your house. You don’t need to make your home into a fortress, but you should try to remove a few easy temptations. The more uninviting your yard is to pests, the more peaceful your home will feel when the weather starts to turn and the rodents look somewhere else for shelter.
Bliss Donahue-Power
