New Year, New You...& New Rules To Keep Rodents Away

We’re into the new year, and while you’re busy setting resolutions for a healthier, happier you, don’t forget about your yard! After all, nothing ruins a fresh start like those furry cretins scurrying about your outdoor area, leaving their droppings everywhere.

In your backyard, 2025 might have been the year of the mouse, but this year will be different! With a few practical tips, you can keep your space rodent-free and stress-free all year long.

Rules to Keep Rodents Away In 2025

If rodents have been a part of your past, it’s time to rewrite the rules for the new year.

Rule 1: Seal Your Yard Like a Pro

Rodents are experts at finding ways into your yard, squeezing through fence gaps as small as a dime. Here’s what you do:

• Create gravel or stone perimeter. Rodents prefer soft soil for digging. Create a physical barrier by lining the perimeter of your home with gravel or stones. This not only makes digging harder but also reduces the likelihood of rodents trying to burrow close to your foundation.
• Check fences and walls for holes or gaps—seal them with hardware cloth, metal flashing, or concrete.
• Install a rodent-proof barrier (¼-inch hardware cloth) around the base of sheds, decks, and porches to prevent burrowing.
• Block gaps under gates and fences by adding weather stripping, metal kick plates, or digging a trench and lining it with wire mesh.

Rule 2: Keep Things Clean and Organized

Rodents love mess. They’ll live in it, eat it, and multiply. Keep your yard clean and tidy to remove their food sources and nesting spots:

• Trim overgrown vegetation and cut back bushes and tree branches that touch your house.
• Keep grass short—tall grass provides perfect cover for rodents.
• Remove piles of leaves, debris, and wood from around your home. These create perfect nesting areas. If you must store firewood, keep it at least 20 feet from your house and elevated off the ground.
• If you compost, ensure bins are sealed and rodent-proof. Compost is a magnet for rodents, so secure it properly to avoid turning your yard into a feeding ground.
• Check sheds, garages, and playhouses for gaps or holes that rodents could use to enter. Seal any openings with heavy-duty mesh or wood to keep them out.

Rule 3: Eliminate Attractants

Rodents don’t need much to survive – but if you give them access to food and water, they’ll find a way in.

• Fix Leaks: Leaky pipes and standing water provide rodents with a steady water source. Inspect your yard for leaks and repair them promptly.
• Clean Up Food Sources: Birdseed, pet food, and fallen fruit in your yard are irresistible to rodents. Clean these up regularly to avoid attracting them.
• Regular Inspections: Periodically inspect your property for forgotten food or water sources that might lure rodents in. Staying vigilant goes a long way.

Rule 4: Use Natural Repellents

Natural repellents are a safe, eco-friendly option to complement other prevention methods, taking advantage of smells that rodents hate:

• Sprinkle peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, or clove oil in areas where rodents might enter.
• Place cotton balls soaked in vinegar or ammonia near entry points to discourage them.
• Grow herbs like mint, lavender, or rosemary around your home or near entry points. These plants not only smell great to humans but are highly unpleasant for rodents, making them less likely to venture near.

Rule 5: Rodent-Proof Your Pet’s Routine

Rodents are opportunistic and won’t hesitate to raid your pet’s food supply if given the chance.

• Clean Up Food and Water Bowls: Don’t leave pet food and water bowls out overnight. After your pet finishes eating, clean the bowls and store them away to prevent attracting rodents.
• Store Pet Food in Airtight Containers: If you store food outside or in a shed, know that rodents can chew through plastic bags and cardboard boxes. Make sure to transfer pet food into sturdy, airtight containers. Metal or heavy-duty plastic containers work best.
• Feed Pets Indoors When Possible: If you normally feed your pet outside, consider moving mealtimes indoors to avoid leaving traces of food or crumbs that could draw rodents to your yard.

Rule 6: Call in the Professionals

When rodent prevention feels overwhelming, it’s time to bring in the experts. Professional rodent control services provide effective, long-lasting results with minimal effort on your part:

• We identify entry points and vulnerabilities you might miss.
• Receive solutions tailored to your home’s layout and specific rodent risks.
• Experts use proven methods and tools to eliminate and prevent infestations.
• Humane trapping and rodent removal methods.
• Routine pest control services create year-round protection against rodents.
• Focus on enjoying your home while the professionals handle the hard work.

Why Your Home Deserves a Rodent-Free Start to the New Year

A rodent-free home isn’t just a cleaner home; it’s a safer, healthier, and more peaceful space to start the new year. Here are some key benefits of keeping rodents out:

• Healthier Living Environment: Rodents carry diseases like Hantavirus and Salmonella, which can contaminate surfaces, food, and the air. Their droppings and dander can aggravate allergies and asthma, especially in children and sensitive individuals.
• Peace of Mind: No more sleepless nights listening to scurrying outside. Plus, there is less worry about damage, contamination, or unpleasant surprises.
• Protect Your Property: Rodents chew through wires, insulation, and wood, leading to costly repairs. By preventing infestations, you safeguard your space from structural damage and fire hazards.
• Financial Savings: Avoid expensive remediation costs and replacements for contaminated food or damaged belongings.

Your Fresh Start Begins with Buzz Boss Rodent Control

It’s time you drop rodents like a bad habit from yesteryear! At Buzz Boss, we specialize in proactive rodent control to keep your home safe, clean, and rodent-free.

Our expert team offers tailored solutions to prevent infestations and protect your property from future risks. With our patented BuzzShield® Rodent, we’ll seal entry points, eliminate attractants, and provide year-round protection.

Buzz Boss proudly serves Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, and the Okanagan. Kick the rodents out today – Get a free estimate, and let us handle the rest.