Here's how you can rat-proof your home this winter
Do you know why rodents like to make their way into your home every winter? Here's what the experts say about it and what you can do to keep them out.
New national data shows that rat and mouse sightings are rising sharply across Canada—and as temperatures fall, experts say those plucky rodents are headed straight toward our homes in search of food and warmth.
It doesn't help that the openings the critters use to get inside are tiny—a mouse only needs an opening about the size of a dime to get in. A rat, on the other hand, only needs an opening the size of a quarter.
RELATED: Climate change helping rats thrive in Canada, experts say
A recent survey by Abell Pest Control found that 89 per cent of public health inspectors had seen increased rat activity over the past three years, citing factors such as warmer winters, shifting food sources, and construction-related displacement.
"Subway construction, rail construction; they disperse rats," Mike Heimbach, VP at Abell Pest Control, told The Weather Network. "We're hearing from one neighborhood in Brampton, for example; the people that live there were telling us, 'I lived here for 35 years, never seen a rat like that. What's going on in the four years?' We're seeing rats because they were forced to move."
And all of those displaced rodents are seeking new homes more urgently than ever around this time of year.
SEE ALSO: How do bugs survive Canada's harsh winters?
"The weather's getting colder; rats and mice are trying to move indoors if they can, just like any mammals do. If they can find a way in, they're going to get into your basement or your garage or what have you," Heimbach commented.
Some people may find rats and mice cute, but wild rodents don't make good houseguests. Heimbach noted they can chew through electrical wires, causing house fires. They can also be a health hazard by urinating and defecating around the house, including in your kitchen or food pantry.
Experts say the best defense this winter is a sealed home and a clean yard. Look for any openings larger than one quarter of an inch. Catching those gaps now can prevent a costly problem later.
Copyedited by Anika Beaudry, a digital journalist at The Weather Network.
Thumbnail image from Canva Pro.