Keeping Rats and Mice Out of Your Kern County Home
Each fall, as fields are harvested and nights cool, rodents look for shelter. Here's how to keep them out.
Request pest controlHow they get in
Mice fit through gaps about the size of a pencil; rats through larger gaps around pipes, vents, garage doors and eaves.
Roof rats climb
Roof rats travel along fences, trees and wires to reach roofs. Trim branches back from the house.
Seal gaps
Use metal mesh, sealant and door sweeps to close entry points. Foam alone can be chewed through.
Remove food
Store pet food and birdseed in sealed containers, pick up fallen fruit and keep trash lidded.
Reduce shelter
Clear clutter, woodpiles and dense vegetation next to the house.
Signs
Droppings, gnaw marks, scratching at night and chewed packaging.
Safe clean-up
Wet droppings with disinfectant before wiping; don't sweep or vacuum them dry.
Get help
See rodent control.
Compost and gardens
Compost piles, vegetable gardens and chicken coops attract rodents. Use closed compost bins, harvest promptly and store feed in metal containers.
Attic signs
Listen for scratching or scurrying overhead at night, and look for droppings near the attic hatch. Roof rats often travel along the same routes, leaving dark rub marks on beams and pipes.
Garages
Garage doors that don't seal at the bottom are a common rodent entry. A new bottom seal and side weatherstripping close the gap.
Citrus and fruit trees
Roof rats love citrus. Pick ripe fruit promptly, clear fallen fruit and trim trees so branches don't touch the roof.
Professional exclusion
A pest professional can find and seal entry points you may miss, especially on roofs and eaves.
Inside checks
Look behind appliances, under sinks and in cupboards for droppings, and check that pantry food is stored in hard containers.
More pest control guides
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