Winter Pests in New York: How to Keep Rodents Out of Apartments

The colder months in the Empire State – and with winter coming into the houses in New York there is the unwanted guest who often gets in unnoticed: rodents. Written by saynopest, in this article, we are going to discuss why rodents invite themselves into apartments in the winter, what overhead materials you will need to rodent proof your apartment, tips on how to keep the pets safe and prey secured, ecological role of rodents and a concise realistic action plan to keep the rodent out of your unit.

Why rodents attack New York apartments during winter.

When the mercury goes down, rodents are in search of warmth, places of shelter and food that is available inside the house and in New York the older densely built apartment stock provide the best possible housing to them. The city of New York and its surrounding areas have shared walls, shared basements, utility pipes and plenty of food waste, all combining to be the ultimate storm of rodents. 

An example is one survey that reported rodent infestation in almost 35 per cent of households with many attributing the cold season as the cause. 

Once rodents move into an apartment, they do not simply settle down but they reproduce fast, chew on the wires, gnash through the insulations and transmit diseases. 

So residents of apartments in New York must be on their guard. It all depends on prevention, and the appropriate tools.

What to learn of rodent proofing materials.

A good rodent proofing materials kit is unrivaled as far as keeping rodents out is concerned – once a rat or a mouse has discovered how to get into the house, it becomes even more difficult to control. Below is a summary of what you will desire and why.

Common materials to use

Steel wool or copper mesh: These thick fibrous cotton wools prevent small holes which rodents cannot chew. According to the official rodent-control guide of New York City, it is recommended to stuff steel wool in the gaps and cover it with hard material afterwards. 

Sheet metal or hardware cloth: In larger holes (e.g. around vents, plumbing penetrations) it is prudent to install metal flashing or heavy-duty hardware cloth which can be chewed by the rodents. 

Construction grade sealant / polyurethane caulk: Sealing small cracks around the base, walls or door frames can be done with high quality polyurethane sealant (not normal household caulk which may fail over time). 

Doors: Metal door sweeps and thresholds: Rodents are able to squeeze under any doors where the gap exceeds approximately 1/4 inch. That is prevented by a good metal door sweep. 

Vented screens / chimney caps / vent covers: Check all vents, chimneys, exterior openings; putting mesh covers in place will keep rodents (and other pests) out. 

Application of such materials – how to do it?

Go everywhere the edges of your apartment and find out how many points of entry there are: around the pipes, vents, doors, windows, floor holes, ceiling, walls.

• Plug holes with steel wool (or copper mesh) then cement over or caulk over it, so as to hold it permanently in place.
• Install or replace door sweeps on exterior doors; be sure to check basement or ground-floor units particularly on accessibility.
• Screen in the cover vents and chimney openings with metal mesh covers.
• Check these points regularly (in particular, after plumbing or HVAC work) to make sure that everything has not loosened or been damaged.

You make a powerful line of defense by concentrating on rodent proofing materials; a defense that will dramatically decrease the possibility of rodents intruding the first line in the first place.

Treatment of Rodents using Pet Safe Pest Control

Whereas, exclusion is the most effective method, in some instances rodents might already be in the walls, ceilings or the neighboring units.This is where pet safe pest control comes in- it is your priority to solve the problem and not to kill your furry family members or to pollute your house.

What to look into regarding pets.

Install tamper-proof bait boxes that are inaccessible to the pets. Install them in base boards, utility penetrations and places where rodents pass.

The use of loose poison should be avoided, use snap-traps or mechanical traps. Mechanical traps are safe, efficient and less harmful to pets.

Apply organic repellents where suitable (e.g., peppermint oil, ultrasonic deterrents) but: these can be used in addition with exclusion rather than in exclusion itself. 

Keep it clean: keep food (as well as pet food) in closed containers, keep garbage under control and avoid crumbs, water spills or nesting materials. One of the important aspects of a pest-control plan is reduction of attractants. 

When using professional services, request environmentally friendly or low toxin treatments and make sure that the treatments are safe to pets (and used as instructed on the label).

You are ensuring that prevention is matched by safe mitigation by matching the conscientious pet safe pest control with the right .

The unexpected ecological significance of rodents

It might appear that it is counter-intuitive, but rodents like mice and rats have a purpose in the ecology – even in the city environment. They become targets of urban predators (owls, hawks, certain snakes), they are involved in the reuse of organic waste, they are a part of underground nutrient cycles as they burrow and cause the soil to stir. With that said, their role is too negative when they come into your living room in a New York apartment.

Specialized measures concerning New York apartment residents.

Check extensively: particularly in case you are renting an older/pre-war structure. Examine cracks around pipes, cracks around walls, utility shafts in common. 

Install rodent proofing materials: steel wool/copper mesh and sealant, steel door sweeps, vents, basement and common areas.

Keep clean at all times: package food/pet food, cleaning spills as soon as they occur, taking away trash every day, leaving no pet bowls/food neglected at night. 

Use pet-safe methods of pest control: utilise mechanical traps, places that are safe to pets, taking into consideration environmentally friendly traps, & hire professionals when necessary.

Keep an eye on the situation: scurrying sounds, droppings, or gnawing should be observed, the entry points should be monitored and the weak points that might have been gained over the years re-sealed.

Seasonal Advice in Terminix and At Orkin NYC

Terminix NYC Tips:

• Close-up all entry points such as vents, pipes, door opening prior to winter.
• Install rodent proof in the following form, steel wool, sheet metal and door sweeps.
• Stuff rubbish and pile wood on the walls of the buildings and litter the vegetation.
• Cleaning the house is done, and foodstuff should be kept in air tight containers.

In order to exclude in the long run, professional preventative checks ought to be conducted at the beginning of the cold season.

Orkin NYC Tips:

• Close windows and doors, utility lines, etc. with cracks and openings.
• Bec pet safe on handling pests: It is secure to apply traps and tamper resistant bait stations.
• Store food and pet food in a proper way; brush off food crumbs as soon as possible.
• Maintain the external premises such as basements, garbage and storage clean.

Also use the same strategy as Orkin which is to Inspect, Protect, Fortify, and Monitor rodent control on a periodical basis.

Conclusion

New York is experiencing winter, and even snow and shorter days are not the only changes experienced in winter because it increases the number of rodents seeking shelter in our homes. And you can always be one step ahead with the right strategy at your disposal. Using a combination of the appropriate rodent proofing products, careful maintenance of your living environment and considerate solutions to pet safe pest management, you do provide yourself with the best opportunity to maintain your apartment rodent-free.