Protect your homestead from unwanted rodents this winter with these 3 simple steps.
If you’ve decided to embrace the homesteading lifestyle, you likely have livestock and food storage. While these are both wonderful things to have, they have a tendency to attract rodents, who like to get into livestock feed, hay and straw, and try their best to feast on your food storage.
According to a recent survey by Harris Poll, more than a third of Americans have spotted a rodent in their house this year. Where there is one rodent, there are generally more.
Those pesky mice and rats tend to come into the warm places to nest and get out of the cold in the winter months. They carry fleas and spread disease, so even though some of them look cute and fluffy, they’re generally not wanted visitors.
It is important before winter to protect your homestead so that you don’t end up with a rodent problem.
Clear up your backyard
Rats and mice are drawn to areas where they can nest and keep warm, including big piles of leaves or lawn clippings. Make sure that you sweep these up and get rid of them before the winter months.
You should also clean any sheds or outbuildings that your homestead has. Rodents are drawn to mess and will easily find somewhere to nest.
If you already have a problem with rodents in sheds, the smell of ammonia will be the giveaway. A pest exterminator can deal with rodents for you humanely.
Try and sort out your rodent problem before winter, or you may find that you have even more next spring.
Secure your feed
In the winter months when food is scarce, rodents will go wherever they can find something to eat.
If you have chickens or other animals on your homestead, then you should make sure that their food store is fully secured as this will easily attract mice and rats (which have also been known to attack chickens).
It is worth noting that the only material that rats can’t gnaw through is metal.
Do a home check
Rodents can get through the smallest holes to seek food inside your home.
They are generally not discerning when it comes to what type of food they will consume either – they will have no problems eating dried pasta and rice.
Before winter comes, do a check around your home, particularly in the kitchen and pantry areas (and while you’re at it, make sure you’ve got a Well Stocked Pantry) and make sure that there are no small holes where they can get in. If there are then plaster these up or use sealant foam.
When you have a homestead, it is important to protect your home and land against rodents before the winter comes. Clear up your backyard and home and secure any food sources so they don’t attract mice and rats.
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