One of the most common pests that infiltrate stables is rodents due to the abundance of feed stored in them. While it may seem like an impossible task to keep your stable rodent-free, not taking preventative measures to eradicate them could result in damage to your stable’s structure, and even disease to your horses. This article will provide you with seven tips for rodent proofing your stable.

1. Store Food Properly Many people choose to store horse food in plastic or wooden bins, or even in plastic or paper grain bags. The problem is, rodents are able to chew right threw these containers. To keep rodents away from your horses’ food, store it in rodent-proof metal bins with tight lids. In addition, avoid storing horse feed in wheelbarrows out in the open. Doing this an open invite to rodents.
2. Keep Feeding Area Clean– It’s no secret; horses are sloppy eaters. Since they are unable to clean up after themselves, it’s essential to check your horses’ stalls daily and sweep up any spilled feed. Also, make sure to throw the spilled feed away in a metal container with a tight lid, rather than sweeping it outside.
3. Make Your Stable Uncomfortable For Rodents Rodents like to post up in dark and damp areas. To deter them from seeking refuge in your stable, make sure your stable aisles, storage areas, and stalls are well-lit and well-drained.
4. Feed Your Horses Up Off The Floor A great way to keep rodents away from your stable is to feed your horses from tubs hung on the stall and not on the floor. Feeding your horses up off the ground will reduce the amount of food that is spilled. This means less cleanup work for you!

5. Store Soft Material Safely Rodents like to nest in soft material; thus it’s vital for you to keep blankets, leg wraps, pads, and bandages in a tightly sealed container. Also, ensure these materials are completely dry before you store them.
6. Set Traps Setting traps in your stable is a must. Keep in mind that each trap is only able to kill one rodent, so if you have a large infestation you may want to seek the help of a professional pest control company. Avoid using poison in your stable if you have pets that access your stable regularly, as these chemicals can be deadly if ingested.
7. Consider Barn Cats Cats can be an excellent option to help you keep the rodent population in your stable to a minimum. You may even be able to find other stable owners who are giving barn cats away for free. Best of all, barn cats are easy and cheap to care for!

Final Thoughts

Not only are rodents annoying, but they can also pose a significant risk to the health and well-being of your horses. Preventing rodents from putting down roots in your stable starts with taking preventative measures. Keeping your barn clean as well as storing horse feed properly will go a long way in keeping your stable rodent-free. If you are experiencing a severe rodent infestation, do not let it go untreated. Remember, it isn’t impossible to rid your stable of rodents, and ignoring the problem will not make it go away. Enlist the services of Palm Coast Pest Control to eradicate the rodents from your stable so your horses can live a happy and healthy life.