A few posts ago we talked to you about how rodents can attack your plumbing and cause a great deal of damage. This is a big problem for some homeowners, and unfortunately, this question usually arises after the damage has already been done. However, if you have plastic or PVC piping throughout your house, you can take steps today to prevent rodents from chewing through the pipes and causing water damage. Follow these tips to help protect your home and your pipes from these pests!
- Locate the area of activity. It shouldn’t be too hard to find where rodents may be entering and exiting your home. There will be droppings left behind wherever the rodents have been. Sometimes they even leave a bit of a streaky trail.
- Seal up any entryway rodents can use. Rodents can squeeze through even the smallest holes or cracks in a building. The bones of a rodent are not generally fused together, and this allows them to squeeze to a very small size. They can also chew a hole to gain entry. Inspect the outside of your home and your roof regularly. Also check your crawl space or attic. Be sure to seal even the smallest openings. Use steel wool, copper mesh or plaster to fill in any hole or gap that is larger in diameter than a pencil.
- Be sure you replace any cracked or broken weatherstripping or seals around windows or doors. These cracks can be an open door for rodents and pests into your home. This will also improve the heating and air conditioning in your home.
- Cover any exterior vents such as the dryer or air conditioner. Cover them with ¼ inch hardware cloth.
- Don’t offer pests a buffet! Be sure that you clean up any food, crumbs, or messes. Ensure that all food, even pet food and bird seed, are put away and kept in sealed containers. Keep rubbish and trash in its place and be sure it is sealed.
- Provide rodents an alternative water source. As long as the rodents are living in your space, they need water. If you temporarily provide a water source that they can use while you are working to exterminate them, they won’t have to resort to chewing on your pipes to get to the water.
- If you are using poison on the rodents, they will become dehydrated and be even more desperate for water.Instead, use traps rather than poison. This will reduce this risk of dehydration and a frantic effort to find water.
- Be sure to keep your landscape and home exterior clean and tidy. Make sure that you are not providing hiding or nesting places near your home. Keep trees trimmed from near your roofline to prevent climbing rodents from having easy access.
- Don’t forget the inside! Do not leave piles of clothes or stuffed animals, or anything soft and cuddly around for an extended period of time where rodents might access them. Even cardboard boxes can be an attraction. All of these materials can be used for nesting. Isn’t that a great reason Cindy or Ronnie need to keep their rooms tidy and clean?
If rodents are already in your home, it would be a good idea to have a plumbing inspection to be sure your pipes are in good working order. Or, if you are finding some evidence of a water leak – and rodents are present – you may need the help of an expert!
Yes, contact an exterminator, and then give the pros at Fite Plumbing. We’ve helped many clients in such situations, and we can help you too with our 24/7/365 emergency response team. For a fast response, call Fite Plumbing at (317) 271-5400 to get all of your plumbing problems fixed in good time.
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