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There are steps you can take to prevent rodents on your property. 1. Eliminate food and water sources: *Keep all garbage in metal containers with tight fitting lids. *Compost kitchen waste in rodent-resistant containers. Do not throw meat, bones, grease, fish or other food scraps into the compost. *Ensure the compost is away from the house. Properly maintain the compost by stirring and adding lime every few months. *Remove fallen fruit and nuts from your yard. *Remove pet food right after feeding and do not leave it outside overnight. Clean out waste and food from pet pens and enclosures. *Equip bird feeders with trays and clean spilled seeds often. *Repair any plumbing leaks to remove collected water. Cover pools and whirlpools when not in use. 2. Eliminate hiding and living places: *Do not plant shrubs or flowers close to buildings. Keep a space clear between buildings and plants and allow 15 cm to 20 cm (6 to 8 inches) under plants. Trim grass and ditch areas. *Remove unused piles of lumber, old sheds, or buildings. *Do not store old cars or furniture outside. *Store lumber and firewood on stands 30 cm to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches) off the ground. 3. Protect buildings: *Cover crawl spaces, fresh air and attic vents with 6mm (¼ inch) metal screening or steel mesh. *Repair cracks in cement footings and foundations. *Build sheds on concrete slabs. *Install 6mm (¼ inch) hardware cloth inside your compost. Can I use poison to get rid of rodents? It is not a good idea to use poison or baits to control rodents. Poisoned rodents can crawl away and die, and their bodies can be hard to find and breeding grounds for disease. Poisons can also accidentally harm pets, wild animals, or even children. Ultrasound repellers, although initially effective, are expensive and do not have long-term success at eliminating rodents. If after taking preventive measures, a rodent problem still exists on your property and you