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COVID LOCK have had a number of surprising effects on common household pests across the United States, including exterminators receiving fewer reports ofBed bug infestations As people travel less. However, there is a pest that has flourished in the middle of the lack of human activity: rats.

"Some jurisdictions recorded an increase in rodent activity, as rodents are looking for new sources of food. Environmental health and rodent programs can see an increase in rodent-related service requests and reports of behavior of unusual or aggressive rodents ", disease control centers and prevention (CDC) announced in a2020 Declaration. However, just because rats are a threat always present does not mean that they have to become a problem inyour Spacer. If you want to prevent infestation, read it to discover the habits that could make your home a target for these unwanted visitors.

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WhileMaintenance of the Court Can not have been at the top of your list of things to do in the middle of the pandemic, leaving your congested outdoor space could make your home a privileged target for rodents.

"Rats can nest and hide in wooden stacks or another clutter around the house", ends up going inside, explainsNancy Troyano, PhD, an entomologist certified by the board withEhrlich pest control. To keep a problem of harmful to the bay, "Keep inside and outside your well-rowed house, including cut vegetation," she suggests.

This small gap on your wall may seem not to have a lot of business, but it could be a sign "welcome at home" for rats.

"Young rats can pass through small gaps under the doors and integrate through holes or small openings," says Troyano, which recommends filling visible gaps with stainless steel wool and caulking or concrete. Troyano notes that even gaps that are not on the ground could attract the parasites. "The rats can jump, so check up to a height of about 4 feet", she explains.

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These unsealed dog kibble bags in your pantry or birds on yourbasement shelf look like a real buffet with rodents.

"Make sure to clean pet food seed debris and store pet foods in containers with adjusted lids, preferably above the ground," recommends to Troyano.

While most rodents probably do not have the strength to switch your trash can enjoy its content, they can certainly dive and help themselves if you do not keep it locked up.

"The rats are scavengers who eat anything, and to them, an open trash can is like a free buffet", declares the entomologist and the pest control expertRyan Smith, Owner ofControl of organic pests of ants and garden, which recommends sealing garbage cans to ensure that parasites do not enter.

This small drop of sewer under your sink could turn into a big problem of pests if you do not repair it in a timely manner.

"Like all animals, rats need water. Even the finest leaks can give them a stable water source," says Smith. "Make sure to repair leaks at the first view, no matter the small size."

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This open gutter descent could also be a ladder leading to your home to a rat.

"The rats will not find incredibly difficult to climb and on your roof. The roof is often a place where small openings are easily hidden, so the key is to prevent rodents from accessing the roof," says Ed Spicer , CEO of Pest Strategies . "Get mesh or chicken wire and attach it at the bottom of each descent to make sure they can not climb."

RELATED: If you feel this in your bedroom, you could have bed bugs .