It is a truth universally acknowledged that the kitchen is the heart of the home. This is where we create feasts, catch up with old friends, and generally live our best lives. And, we get to do it all with the glorious wonder of food around us!
The trouble is that, as many homeowners find, their kitchen isn’t only a welcoming space for them. Uninvited guests like rats and mice also often make themselves at home, nibbling food supplies and spreading germs in the worst places.
For health, peace of mind, and even kitchen integrity, homeowners should contact a mice exterminator the moment they notice signs of infestation including –
- Droppings
- Scratching
- Nibbled packages
- Nests
- And more
To avoid repeat problems, it’s also worth considering the following reasons why a kitchen would prove quite so appealing to these unwanted visitors in the first place.
# 1 – You’re storing food at floor level
Food is the prime cause of infestations, and you can bet critters will sniff out tasty treats from miles away. This isn’t so much of an issue if food is out of reach, but you’re asking for trouble if you store supplies at floor level. Even safely sealed food stores are at risk of attracting and falling foul to trouble. What’s more, cupboards filled with feasts could lead to escalating and stubborn infestations faster than you can blink. If you haven’t already, be sure to keep all floor-level cupboards for things like cleaning equipment, plates, etc. Then, keep your food where little paws can’t find it!
# 2 – There are cracks in your kitchen exteriors
Even with the best food supplies tempting them, rats, mice, and the like all need entry-points to access your kitchen in the first place. Keep your defenses secure, and these will be impossible to come by. If, however, your kitchen exteriors offer even the smallest in-point, you can bet pests will put it to troublesome use. As such, you should regularly check your exteriors and interiors for signs of entry points. If you spot the slightest gap in your defenses, small-time construction services that can cover it up should be your first port of call.
Your house doesn’t need to be unclean to appeal to pests. In fact, something as simple as a tiny crumb could catch the wind at the wrong time and lead nasties straight to your kitchen door. Don’t let that happen by sweeping daily, preferably each time you finish preparing a meal. This way, you make 100% sure there’s nothing in your kitchen that could appeal to these guests that you don’t want there.
Pests are never pleasant in the home, not least because they pose real health risks. Infestations like these can also prevent you from enjoying your kitchen the way you deserve. Only by taking preventative action sooner rather than later can you keep this heart at the center of your home for a long time to come.