Rodent-Proofing Your Des Moines Home: A Step-By-Step Guide

Keeping rodents out of your house might not be something you realized required a lot of forethought, but the truth is that you have to be proactive to ensure these destructive pests don’t get inside. Rodents can infest even new homes without proper precautions in place. 

Instead of simply hoping for the best, you can take the necessary steps to rodent-proof your Des Moines home with Miller Pest & Termite’s step-by-step guide. These practical tips will help you stop an infestation before it begins.

Rodent-proof your Des Moines yard

The first place to start is where the rodents start: outside. Take a walk around your property and note anything that might attract rodents. Most rodent attractants fall into three main categories: food, water, and shelter. 

It's time to get to work once you’ve identified what might bring mice and rats into your yard.

Eliminate as many potential food sources as possible:

• Stop leaving pet food outdoors.
• Remove bird feeders.
• Keep garbage in bins with tightly fitting lids, and don’t place those bins near your house.
• Pick up rotting fruit that has fallen from trees.

Take care of moisture issues around your property:

• Make sure your property has proper drainage.
• Cut back foliage in areas where moisture tends to build up.
• Fill low spots in your lawn and driveway to eliminate puddles.
• Clean gutters.
• Make sure you don’t have leaking pipes, hoses, or spigots.

Eliminate harborage areas around your property:

• Trim bushes, shrubs, and tree branches around your house's perimeter.
• Keep your grass cut short.
• Move wood piles away from your house.
• Consider removing landscaping elements that might harbor rodents, such as bushes, shrubs, and rock walls.

Implementing these suggestions will help make your property less attractive to rodents, which will help you decrease your chances of ending up with these pests in your house.

Rodent-proof the exterior of your Des Moines house

Now that your property is unappealing to rodents, it’s time to focus on the exterior of your house itself. If rodents show up on your property, you want to make sure they have difficulty finding a way inside. To do this, you have to eliminate all potential openings that lead into your home. Focus on:

• Cracks and crevices around your foundation
• Holes or damage to your siding
• Gaps around windows and doors
• Open vents
• Openings around plumbing and electrical entry points
• Uncapped chimneys
• Damaged or missing roof shingles
• Torn screens

Make the necessary repairs or adjustments to these areas so they are inaccessible to rodents. Keep in mind that rodents can squeeze through extremely small openings, so don’t disregard any little spaces that you find.

Rodent-proof the inside of your Des Moines home

The final step to rodent-proofing your Des Moines home is to make the interior a place where rodents don’t want to spend time. Just like outside, you need to eliminate food, water, and shelter opportunities.

The best thing you can do is keep your kitchen clean:

• Wash dishes after each meal.
• Wipe down counters to keep them free of food particles.
• Store all food in sealed containers.
• Sweep the floors regularly.
• Clean up spills and messes immediately.
• Take out the trash regularly.
• Store pantry items in hard-sided, sealed containers.
• Wipe down cabinets and other shelving regularly.

Address moisture issues in your house:

• Check for leaking pipes.
• Fix dripping faucets.
• Reduce moisture with dehumidifiers.

Reduce clutter throughout your house:

• Remove unnecessary items and boxes.
• Frequently clean under and behind appliances.
• Routinely check storage areas for any signs of rodents.
• Store items you’re not using in plastic containers with tightly-fitting lids.

If rodents can’t find what they need to survive in your home, they’ll be less likely to infest your house. By implementing the tips above, you can help make that happen.

Contact Miller Pest & Termite for the best rodent control in Des Moines & the Midwest

If you already have a rodent problem, contact Miller Pest & Termite. We have over two decades of experience helping our Des Moines customers keep their homes rodent-free, and our 100% satisfaction guarantee ensures that you’ll be happy with our service. 

Our rodent control service includes a detailed inspection and a customized treatment plan to eliminate and prevent rodents. We use a combination of methods, including trapping, baiting, population management, and exclusion, to keep your home rodent-free. Our local pest control experts also offer year-round home pest control services that address insect and rodent infestations! 

Contact us today to schedule your in-depth rodent inspection. We look forward to helping you rodent-proof your Des Moines home. Also serving Kansas City, Omaha, and communities throughout Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska! 

Don’t forget to nominate a family for a pest-free holiday! 

This holiday season, Miller the Killer is on a mission to bring more than just jolly vibes—we want to help families in need "Put Those PESTS to REST" and make their homes a true sanctuary by offering free pest control services! 

Do you know a family that could use a little extra holiday cheer? Click here to nominate them today!