Everyone can agree that having rodents in your home is an unpleasant experience. Although they may seem like harmless creatures, rodents can damage the structural integrity of your home and even carry infectious diseases. The good news is that there are tips and tricks that you can use to repel rodents, such as adding the scent of peppermint throughout your home. Here’s what you need to know about this trick and other ways to tackle rodent removal.
How Can You Use Peppermint To Repel Rodents?
Peppermint is a natural remedy that can be used to effectively ward off mice and rats. Although rodents have poor vision, they make up for it with a strong sense of smell. Peppermint contains a potent compound known as menthol, which irritates rodents’ nasal cavities and disorients them, causing them to stray away from areas that contain the scent.
To incorporate peppermint into your home, you can either grow peppermint plants or use essential oils. Because growing plants can be quite time-consuming, using peppermint oil is a more efficient method. Spray the essential oil into corners of your home that you think rodents can most easily access, and be sure to focus on areas that don’t contain mousetraps.
In addition to peppermint, cayenne pepper is another effective repellent. Not only does it keep rodents away, but it can also ward off other pests such as roaches, ants and spiders. Sprinkle some cayenne pepper around your home, but be sure to keep it out of reach of children and pets.
You can also pack steel wool into tight spaces, such as cabinets, crawl spaces and air ducts. Rodents have a difficult time chewing through steel wool due to its durability, and the rough edges can scratch their noses. However, keep in mind that some rodents are able to pull the steel wool out of an opening using their feet.
How Do You Know You Have a Rodent Infestation?
If you’re unsure whether or not you have rodents living in your home, there are a few clear signs that can indicate an infestation. The typical mouse produces approximately 50 to 75 droppings a day, which means that these droppings shouldn’t be too hard to find scattered throughout your home. Mice droppings are dark, tapered at one end and about the size of a grain of rice.
Additionally, scurrying, scratching or chewing noises coming from inside ceilings or walls can be another telltale sign of an infestation. If you’re unsure whether these noises belong to rodents, tap on the wall or ceiling where you hear the noise. If the sound stops for a few seconds and then starts again, this typically indicates that rodents are living in your home.
Are Rodents Dangerous?
Although most people think of rodents as an annoyance, they can also be extremely dangerous. Many rodents carry hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, an infectious disease that can cause life-threatening respiratory problems. This disease causes flu-like symptoms such as:
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
- Chills
- Dizziness
- Nausea and/or vomiting
Because hantavirus is primarily spread through urine, feces and saliva, it’s essential to keep your distance. Contact rodent removal services immediately to eliminate the threat.
How Rodent Removal Services Can Help
Although DIY solutions such as peppermint oil can be effective in the short term, rodents are extremely clever creatures who can learn to avoid your traps and make themselves at home on your property. Therefore, it’s best to enlist the help of a skilled professional to perform a rodent inspection and eliminate your infestation for good. Contact Truly Nolen today to learn more about our rodent removal services and how we can get your home looking as good as new.