Rodents can cause serious headaches for homeowners. From gnawed wires to contaminated food, mice and rats aren’t just a nuisance. They’re a health risk.
The good news? With the right approach, you can keep your home rodent-free. At Gunter Pest & Lawn, we’ve been helping Missouri families protect their homes for decades.
In this post, we’ll walk you through a practical, step-by-step rodent control plan to stop pests before they become a full-blown problem.
TL;DR: Gunter Pest & Lawn’s rodent control plan helps Missouri homeowners keep mice and rats out. Key steps: inspect your property, seal entry points, remove food sources, use traps strategically, and monitor regularly. Professional help ensures long-term protection.
Step 1: Inspection & Assessment
Start by knowing your enemy. Walk the perimeter of your home and look closely at the foundation, walls, roofline, vents, and door frames. Rodents can squeeze through tiny openings—the size of a quarter or even smaller. Check around firewood, trash bins, sheds, and compost areas.
Inside, focus on areas rodents love: basements, attics, crawl spaces, kitchens, and laundry rooms. Look for droppings, gnaw marks, tracks, grease marks, or shredded materials. Rodents often leave signs where they travel regularly.
Take note of water sources as well. Leaky pipes, condensation, or pet water bowls can attract rats and mice. Understanding their pathways and access points is the key to stopping them.
Tip: Use a flashlight and inspect at night if possible. Rodents are nocturnal, so you may spot activity you wouldn’t see during the day.
Step 2: Exclusion & Proofing
Once you know where they are coming from, block every route. Seal gaps, holes, and cracks in walls, foundation, vents, and around pipes. Use materials rodents can’t chew through, like steel mesh, hardware cloth, or metal flashing. Caulk or expanding foam is great for small gaps, but it should be paired with a metal barrier for larger openings.
Doors and windows need attention too. Install door sweeps on all exterior doors, including garage entries. Make sure screens are tight and vents are properly covered.
Look around the yard. Keep firewood, debris, and compost at least ten feet from the house. Trim shrubs and trees so branches don’t touch the home—they act as highways for rodents.
Rodents love clutter. By cleaning up your property, you remove hiding spots and make your home less attractive. It’s simple: no easy access, no easy home.
Step 3: Sanitation & Food Source Management
Rodents are always looking for food. Remove anything that attracts them. Store pet food in airtight containers. Seal your pantry items, grains, and snacks. Don’t leave food scraps in the sink or on counters overnight.
Outside, keep trash in secure bins with tight-fitting lids. Clean up fallen fruit, birdseed, or compost scraps that could feed rodents. Even a small food source can sustain a mouse or rat for days.
Remember, water counts too. Fix leaky faucets, pipes, or hoses. Remove standing water from plant saucers and gutters. Rodents need water to survive. Cut off access, and you make your property far less appealing.
Tip: Regularly mow and maintain the yard. Overgrown grass, weeds, or piles of leaves can provide cover for rodents. A clean yard is a rodent-free yard.
Step 4: Trapping & Baiting
Next comes active removal. Traps and bait are effective when used correctly. Snap traps work well for quick results, while live traps let you catch and release rodents safely. Place traps along walls, behind appliances, and near suspected travel paths—rodents rarely cross open spaces in the middle of a room.
Rodenticides or bait stations are an option, but placement is critical. Always use child- and pet-safe stations. Follow the instructions carefully. Avoid scattering loose poison; it can create more danger than it solves.
Check traps daily. Replace bait as needed and remove any caught rodents promptly. Clean hands and surfaces after handling traps or dead rodents. Hygiene is key for safety and effectiveness.
Tip: Multiple traps along known pathways work better than one or two randomly placed traps. Rodents are creatures of habit—they follow the same routes.
Step 5: Monitoring & Follow-Up
Rodent control isn’t a one-time fix. You need to check your property regularly. Look for new droppings, gnaw marks, or holes. Listen for scratching or squeaking sounds in walls, ceilings, and attics.
Maintain your traps and bait stations. Replace used bait and reset traps as needed. Keep a log of where and when you see activity. This helps predict where rodents may return.
Seasonal changes matter. In the fall and winter, rodents seek warmth indoors. Be extra vigilant during these months. Regular inspections give you the upper hand before a full infestation develops.
Tip: Even a few signs of rodents should be taken seriously. Early action prevents larger problems, saving you money and stress.
Step 6: Professional Support from Gunter Pest & Lawn
Some rodent problems require an expert touch. Gunter Pest & Lawn provides full-service rodent control, combining inspections, exclusion, sanitation guidance, traps, and professional-grade baiting strategies.
Our technicians assess your property and identify entry points. We seal gaps, recommend property improvements, and implement a customized plan tailored to your home or business.
Professional service means safer, more effective rodent control. You get peace of mind, knowing the problem is handled thoroughly. Plus, ongoing support ensures rodents don’t return.
Tip: Combine DIY steps with professional treatment for the best results. The two together drastically reduce the risk of a recurring infestation.
Rodent Control Plan Summed Up
Rodent problems can be managed and prevented. Use this plan as your guide:
- Inspect & identify the species.
- Seal entry points.
- Remove food and shelter.
- Place traps and bait safely.
- Monitor and follow up.
- Seek professional support when needed.
With consistent effort and expert support from Gunter Pest & Lawn, your home or business can stay rodent-free year-round.
