Los Angeles winters are mild, but cooler nights and the first rains are enough to send rats and mice looking for shelter. Attics, walls, garages and crawl spaces offer exactly what they want: warmth, safety and easy access to food. The good news is that a few simple steps can make your home far less inviting.
1. Seal the small gaps
A mouse can squeeze through an opening about the size of a dime, and a rat through a gap the size of a quarter. Walk around your home and look for gaps around pipes, cables, vents, garage doors and where the roofline meets the walls. Use steel wool, metal mesh or hardware cloth, since rodents can chew through foam and plastic.
2. Cover vents and openings
Attic, foundation and crawl space vents are common entry points. Make sure every vent has an intact, sturdy metal screen. Replace any screens that are torn, rusted or loose.
3. Trim trees and shrubs
Roof rats are excellent climbers and are especially common in Southern California. Branches that touch your roof act like a bridge. Keep trees and bushes trimmed back at least a few feet from the roof and walls.
4. Store food properly
- Keep pantry food in sealed glass or hard plastic containers.
- Store pet food in sealed bins, not open bags.
- Pick up fallen fruit from citrus and avocado trees.
- Bring pet bowls inside at night.
5. Manage your trash
Use bins with tight-fitting lids and keep them away from the side of the house. Rinse food containers before recycling them.
6. Clear the clutter
Stacks of boxes, firewood and unused items give rodents places to hide and nest. Store firewood off the ground and away from the house, and keep garages and storage areas organized.
7. Get a professional inspection
Even careful homeowners miss hidden entry points, especially on the roof and in the attic. A professional inspection finds the gaps you can’t see and confirms whether rodents are already inside.
Prevention is always easier, and cheaper, than dealing with an infestation and the damage it leaves behind.
Seeing signs of rodents? Rodent Shield serves homes and businesses across Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. Book your free on-site inspection today.
