As summer comes to a close, you may see an increase in rodent activity around your home. This is because they'll be searching for a warm spot to make their homes over the cold winter period. With this in mind, it may be time to start clearing your home of items that appeal to these pests to ensure your property remains both rat and mouse-free for the rest of the year.

There are numerous ways that your home could be appealing to these pests. Frederic de Ryckman de Betz, CEO ofHOLD Self Storage, explains: "People usually don't realise that the way they store everyday items can turn their homes into pest magnets. Mice and rats are opportunistic and looking for three things: food, shelter, and nesting materials."

Pet food and birdseed

"Pet food is probably the biggest culprit I see," says Frederic. "People store massive bags in garages where the packaging gets damaged. Mice can chew through plastic bags in minutes, but you'll also attract ants, cockroaches, and rats."

Instead, he suggests storing pet food in airtight metal or thick plastic containers with secure lids. These containers should then be kept off the floor and stored in a dry area of the home.

Cardboard boxes

Abandoned cardboard boxes are luxury nesting material for mice and rats, plus they attract insects like silverfish and cockroaches. Once you've opened any deliveries, be sure to place the boxes in the recycling rather than using them for storage.

Seasonal decorations

Frederic says: "I've seen people pull out Christmas decorations only to find mouse droppings and moth damage. Fabric items attract clothes moths and carpet beetles too."

To avoid pests making homes in your storage or damaging your decorations, the expert recommends storing them in sealed plastic containers and adding cedar balls as natural deterrents.

Old newspapers and magazines

It's not only rats and mice that can make a home in your old stockpiles of newspapers and magazines; these also attract insects like silverfish and booklice. This is because paper products absorb odours and moisture, which makes them even more attractive to pests.

If you don't want to throw away your old papers, store them in a secure plastic container, or consider digitising anything important and recycling the physical copies.

Pantry overflow

"Kitchen pantries are goldmines for all sorts of pests," explains Frederic. "One small hole in a cereal box can feed a mouse family for weeks, but you'll also attract ants, weevils, and pantry moths."

Ensure that any leftover items, such as cereal boxes, pasta, and snacks, are transferred into glass or thick plastic containers with airtight seals.

Craft supplies and fabric

Craft supplies may often be overlooked when cleaning and tidying, but they can be a paradise for pests, particularly for clothes moths and carpet beetles. To avoid pests building their home in your crafts, store any supplies in clear, sealed containers.