Tips for Rodent Control and Animal Proofing your Home

Our Animal Control office has received several calls lately about rodents and other wildlife pests, so I asked them to provide us with a few guidelines for basic animal-proofing as well as longer-term measures. I also wanted to remind you of the Community Rodent Control Meetings, sponsored by the Wakefield and Melrose Health Departments, that are taking place this week:

• Wakefield: Tuesday, July 17th 2018 – 6pm
  Community Room – Wakefield Public Safety Building
  1 Union Street – Wakefield, MA
• Melrose: Thursday, July 19th 2018 – 6pm
  Aldermanic Chamber in Melrose City Hall
  562 Main Street – Melrose, MA

With basic animal proofing, you should secure any trash you keep indoors or outdoors in firm garbage bags or containers (with fitted lids!). Be sure to not leave your trash outdoors for long periods of time before or after the garbage pick-up time.

A disorganized space tends to attract wildlife because it provides food and shelter.  To reduce clutter, discard any unused materials such as, boxes, yard waste, and trash. Along with eliminating shelter and hiding places, get rid of any weeds in your yard, and cut the grass consistently. Trimming the bushes and the trees on your property will also reduce the threat of rodents because it reduces potential shelter.

Many people overlook the small steps they can take to check and rodent-proof their houses. To make sure your house is rodent- free, take a look at these simple, yet effective, suggestions.

• Check your basement for any small holes or cracks. Rodents can enter houses through the smallest of holes in this area. If you do find one, you can seal it with mortar or plaster
• Rodents and other wildlife can gnaw their way through wood. Use concrete for any repairs you make to the basement’s foundation or floor.
• Screens on the windows are a very important factor in safety from any sort of wildlife. Sheet wire mesh is a sturdy material that can be used to stop rodents and other animals from gnawing their way into your home
• Use sheet metal frame and metal guards on all points of entry (openings on vents, windows, pipes, wires)
• Keep all outside doors shut, and secure the area beneath the doors with a metal trim, concrete, or plaster
• Don’t leave waste, pet food, or any source of water outside or accessible to animals
• In the kitchen, seal up all your food in glass or metal containers with a secure lid.
• Don’t store food in the lower cabinets
• Clean up any crumbs or food off of the tables and counters

Harborage, shelter for wildlife, is a large factor in the increase of wildlife and rodent population. Harborage provides a favorable spot for wildlife to have shelter, and breed. These are some of the places to keep an eye out for.

• Abandoned vehicles: if the vehicle is on private property, the property owner is responsible for the removal of the vehicle
• Abandoned buildings: should be boarded up properly
• Abandoned appliances: washing machines, refrigerators, stoves, and dryers should be disposed of properly
• Trash cans: as mentioned above
• Lumber: stack your lumber twelve to eighteen inches above the ground, away from walls or fences