5 Tips to Keep Mice and Rats Out of Illinois Homes This Winter

Soon, another cold Illinois winter will send tiny, nasty critters into your home, whether you want them or not. According to the experts, these 'strong suggestions' are great ways to stop a rodent invasion.

In 2024, it is again no surprise that Chicago is America's 'Rattiest' city. In big cities, it's nearly impossible to avoid rats, mice, and other rodents. If you've ever walked through an alley, or behind a restaurant, you weren't alone. The likelihood that you shared that alley with a rat or a mouse, is very high.

Orkin Pest Control's ratings reveal...

Chicago, along with Los Angeles and New York, are the most rat-infested U.S. cities

Orkin's pest control experts say our homes don't have to become like the big city if we just take a few precautions.

Such as:

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• Do not leave out food. Small crumbs and garbage are popular food sources, as are dry goods such as grains and cereals. These should be kept in sealed metal or glass containers to prevent contamination.

• Avoid cluttered spaces. Cardboard objects prove attractive to rodents, as they tend to chew them up for use in their nests. Take advantage of your extra time at home to clean and organize crowded spaces around the house.

• Do not let the landscaping run wild. Tall grass with adequate harborage, such as woodpiles next to the house, can be ideal habitats for rodents. Tree branches in contact with homes can also offer rodents easy access to the upper levels of your home where they may find a way into the attic.

• Inspect both inside and outside your home for rodent droppings, burrows and rub marks along baseboards and walls. The more quickly rodents are detected, the better.

• Look for possible entry points outside your home and seal cracks and holes if any are found. Install weather strips around entryways, especially under doors, to help block rodents from sneaking inside.

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