Keep Your Home Critter Free This Winter By Knowing What To Do

Yesterday afternoon, while showing one of our corporate folks around the building, we opened a seldom-used office only to find a dead rodent right in the middle of the floor. That little discovery reminded me that, as soon as the weather cools down, the critters start moving in, and all they need is a dime-sized hole to get in, as you'll see in the video below.

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Here in West Texas, exterminators stay busy because rodents, scorpions, spiders, and even snakes are all searching for one thing, warmth. And trust me, they’ll find it anywhere they can.

A Creepy Oven Surprise I’ll Never Forget

About fifteen years ago, while replacing my wife Donna’s oven, I discovered something I’ll never forget. As I gently pulled the old built-in oven from the wall, I found a four-foot snake coiled up on top, cooked and very much dead. The exterminator said it likely crawled in through a vent in the attic or wall, looking for a warm spot and maybe a meal. That was enough to make me start sealing every vent, pipe, and crack in my house.

Top Five Places Critters Love to Hide

According to Family Handyman magazine, these are the most common and surprising hiding spots for rodents and other pests:

1. Storage Boxes - Mice love cardboard boxes in closets, pantries, or garages. They’ll chew through and settle in fast.
2. Shoe Closets - Those cozy boots or unused corners make the perfect hideout.
3. Cars and Mowers - If you’ve got a parked vehicle or mower that hasn’t moved lately, rodents will find it. They’ll chew hoses, wires, and insulation.
4. Wicker or Lawn Furniture - Wicker provides warmth and nesting material. Check stored patio furniture for droppings or chew marks.
5. Attics and Walls - A hole the size of a dime is all it takes for a mouse to move in. Seal those openings tight.

A Fearless Safe-for-the-Environment Hack

When looking for places rodents might be hiding, keep an eye out for shredded cardboard, leaves, or the unmistakable sign, rodent droppings. Once you spot those, skip the harsh chemicals and try my old fail-safe, environmentally friendly tricks.

• Peppermint Oil Spray: Mix peppermint oil with water in a small spray bottle. Spray it around the engine compartments of cars, lawnmowers, or storage areas. Rodents can’t stand the smell and will steer clear.
• Vicks VapoRub Seal: For openings around dryer vents, pipes, or water lines, smear a little Vicks VapoRub around the edge. Rodents hate the scent, and scorpions and centipedes avoid it because they can get stuck in it.
• Cotton Ball Trick: Soak a cotton ball lightly in peppermint or clove oil (or dab it with Vicks), then place it inside shoes, boots, clothing closets, and storage boxes. Critters with sensitive noses will turn around fast.

These simple, natural methods keep your home pest-free without harming the environment or your pets.

Remember to Stay Warm and Stay Vigilant

From mice and rats to snakes and scorpions, these uninvited guests are just trying to survive the winter, but they don’t need to do it in your home. Seal up those dime-sized holes, store items in plastic containers, and keep the peppermint handy.

Stay warm, stay safe, and keep the creepy critters outside where they belong.

Read More: Keep Your Family Safe This Winter With A H-Vac System Check-up