Rodents can cause many problems within a home, including contaminating food and creating a fire hazard by chewing through electrical wires. Although rare, rodents can also spread dangerous diseases that can make you and your family sick. Understanding the methods of transmission and making a plan to keep rodents out of your house can help keep your family protected.

​Rodents carry many diseases that can be passed to humans, but luckily, most of them are fairly rare. These diseases are transmitted through either direct or indirect contact with rodents. Direct contact may include: touching or breathing in feces or urine, eating contaminated food, handling a carcass, or receiving a bite. Indirect diseases are transmitted by a vector like a flea, tick, or mite.

​Rats and mice are common household pests, especially during the colder months of the year, as they seek shelter and warmth. Rodents can spread diseases, contaminate food, and cause a fire hazard by chewing through electrical wiring. That’s why it is essential to get rid of them as quickly as possible. Knowing what type of rodent is in your home can help you get the right products and sizes of traps. The four most common pest rodents in Toronto are: the house mouse, deer mouse, Norway rat, and roof rat.

As the warm summer days fade to the crispness of Autumn, we naturally start to prepare for the winter ahead. Rodents understand the changing seasons as well and start to look for a warm, safe place to spend the upcoming winter. Unfortunately, this often involves entering homes and places of business. Luckily, there are things that you can do right now to rodent-proof your house for winter. Here are 10 tips and tricks that will help you keep the rodents out this year.
 Keep Your Home Clean: Crumbs and food that has not been stored properly will attract rats and mice. Store food in the refrigerator or an air-tight container. You should also try to sweep and vacuum regularly to get rid of those crumbs.
 Take Care of Pet Food: Human food isn’t the only thing that attracts rodents. Your dog or cat’s food is just as appetizing to a hungry rat or mouse. Store your pet’s food in an air-tight container and don’t leave it out overnight.

​Rats are much less picky when it comes to food. Rats are scavengers that have been known to eat everything from meat and grain to garbage and sewage. Norway rats, in particular, are often found in sewers and landfills. To avoid rats and mice, keep your yard free from food, trash, and debris. It is also a good idea to keep pet food and water inside at night so that you don’t attract 

​Do you think mice love cheese? Think again! Although the connection between mice and cheese has been around for centuries, it is a myth. Recent scientific studies have determined that mice are not drawn to cheese, and in some cases, the smell may actually repel them. If you want your trapping experience to be successful, choose a bait that will attract them. Good choices include foods that mice eat naturally like grains, fruits, and vegetables. It has also been shown that mice love nuts and sugary sweets, so peanut butter and chocolate are also encouraged.