By Wayne Elijah
As it gets colder in Corinth, rodents like rats and mice seek refuge indoors to avoid adverse outdoor conditions. Such seasonal migration results from their need to look for a warm and stable environment. In the winter, rodents cannot access enough sources of food and their natural habitats provide little protection against the weather. As a result, they may invade structures like houses and garages to find sustenance and shelter. As the temperature shifts, rodents are forced to migrate from their outdoor abode to a more comfortable environment available in people’s homes. So why do rats inhabit homes in winter?
Seasonal Migration
Changes in temperature can affect rodent behavior. Rodent activity increases in winter as they look for food and warmth. Rats and mice can squeeze their bodies through small openings, which allows them to easily infest houses. For homeowners in Corinth, understanding such behaviors is necessary to protect their homes from invasions. Also, they should recognize signs of seasonal migration, so they can take proactive measures to protect their house against such unwanted visitors. These measures include contacting pest control experts such as those at romneypestcontrol.com to help with elimination and prevention efforts.
Survival Instincts
The biological need for rodents to survive drives them to become active in winter. Their search for food and warmth results in them looking for human habitats. They can enter homes through gaps around windows and doors, openings around utility lines, and foundation cracks. These pests are used to finding and exploiting such vulnerabilities to access your house. Once they are inside, they can cause serious property damage as they gnaw on wires, structural components, and insulation.
In addition, because of rodents’ survival instincts, they can create nests in hidden areas of your house such as wall voids, attics, and basements. These locations protect rodents from predators and the weather. As a homeowner, you should understand these pests’ shelter-seeking behavior to identify possible entry points and seal them off. Also, regular inspections and maintenance can prevent rats and mice from infesting your home.
Food Sources Availability
Rodents can be driven to your house during the winter because of the available food sources in there. As opportunistic feeders, rodents will leverage all accessible food items such as pet food, garbage, and pantry items. This makes it important to store food in airtight containers and take out trash regularly. Rodents can detect food from a long distance, so proper waste management and food storage can help make your home less attractive to them.
Some kinds of food are particularly attractive to rodents. These include sugary items, seeds, and grains. When left out overnight, pet food can also attract rodents. By eradicating such food sources, you minimize the risk of a rodent infestation.
Structural Vulnerabilities in Houses
Rodents can explore structural weaknesses in homes that are not properly maintained. These weaknesses include gaps, cracks, and other openings. Regular home maintenance and inspection are necessary to prevent rodent infestations. Routine inspections can identify entry points, so you can seal them off and keep rodents out. Materials such as caulk, steel wool, and weatherstripping can be used to seal cracks and gaps and make it harder for rodents to infiltrate your house. In addition, sealing utility lines and making sure that windows and doors are fitted properly can further decrease the possibility of an infestation.
Location
If your home is near the natural habitat of rodents, these pests can find their way into your home easily. Houses situated near wooded areas, bodies of water, or fields have a greater risk of an infestation. Such environments provide rodents with the best conditions to thrive. Also, urban areas usually experience higher infestation rates because of the abundant food sources and shelter available here.
