Six household items attracting rats and mice to your home
Rats and mice are always looking for food and shelter which makes our homes incredibly inviting.
What makes them even more attractive are several household items, especially when they're not stored properly.
HOLD Self Storage CEO, Frederic de Ryckman de Betz has revealed the six things luring rodents to your place and what to do to make them less enticing.
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There are several things that make our home even more ttractive to rodents than it already is. Getty
Pet food
If you've noticed evidence of rats and mice around your pet food then it's time to address how you're storing it.
"Pet food is probably the biggest culprit I see. People store massive bags in garages where the packaging gets damaged. Mice can chew through plastic bags in minutes, but you'll also attract ants, cockroaches, and rats," he told the Express.
The best storage option is airtight containers with lids made from metal or thick plastic. Keep these up off the floor in a dry area.
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Pet food bags left on the floor are very attractive to rats and mice. Getty
Old magazines and newspapers
Pests like rats and mice love old reading material because of the odour and moisture absorbed by the paper they're made from.
Consider getting rid of them, but if they're important to you they can be stored in a sealed plastic container.
Digitising copies by scanning your favourite pages is one way you can discard the old newspapers and magazines while keeping the content.
Excess pantry products
Who hasn't had a problem with a pest in their pantry at some point in their life? With all the food stored there they are a paradise for rats and mice, in particular.
"One small hole in a cereal box can feed a mouse family for weeks, but you'll also attract ants, weevils, and pantry moths," de Ryckman de Betz.
Any food remaining in packaging should be moved to glass or plastic containers with airtight seals.
It also helps to wipe down shelves regularly to remove crumbs that can be left behind when taking things in and out.
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Food spills can lure pests into your pantry. Getty
Cardboard boxes
With the popularity of online shopping cardboard boxes tend to accumulate quickly and if left sitting around they can become a nesting space for rats, mice and other pests.
To prevent unwanted creatures making a home in cardboard boxes, put them in the recycling bin straight away. If using cardboard boxes as storage, consider plastic containers instead.
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Cardboard boxes make the perfect home for rats and mice. Getty
Seasonal décor
de Ryckman de Betz has seen firsthand the mouse droppings left behind among Christmas decorations not stored properly.
He recommended sealed plastic containers and including cedar balls to deter mice.
Craft supplies
Whether its coloured paper or metres of fabric, pests also love getting stuck into craft supplies. As with most things a plastic container that seals well is the best way to stop these items being attractive to them, which will also help prevent damage to the items.
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Keep these items in plastic containers when not being used to deter pests. Getty Images/iStockphoto
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