Maintaining your home can feel like a monumental task. Even worse, rodents and scary critters may call it their home too if there is food laying out. However, there’s no need to worry: Nexwsp’áyaḵen ta Úxuwmixw (Community Operations) has provided tips on home maintenance and rodent control.
If you have any questions, you can contact the team:
North Vancouver
Phone: 604-980-8655
Email: communityoperations@squamish.net
Emergency contact (after hours): 604-690-0729
Squamish Valley
Phone: 604-848-2200
Email: svcommopsworkorders@squamish.net
Emergency Contact (after hours): 604-815-7116
Follow the steps below to keep your home in immaculate shape.
Your furnace filter becomes clogged with dust, dirt, pet dander, and other particles. Replacing your filter every 3 months ensures your furnace is running efficiently, increases the air quality in your home and extends the life of your furnace.
After removing the grease filter from your range hood, soak it in warm soapy water with some baking soda. Then scrub them with a non-abrasive brush, rinse, and dry to ensure your filter is working to its full potential.
Simply press and hold the test button and wait for a loud noise. If the sound is weak or the detector is silent, replace the batteries immediately. Note: Do not use old batteries in smoke or carbon monoxide detectors.
Regularly vacuuming the lint ducts and surrounding area of your dryer reduces the risk of fires. Remove your lint filter from the dryer and vacuum the lint trap housing. Also, disconnect the dryer duct and vacuum the duct work.
Check the caulking around tubs, showers, and sinks to ensure there are no leaks. Leaks can result in damp patches, which can lead to mould in your kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room. If you notice any gaps, re-caulk as soon as possible.
Your washing machine’s inlet filters out any debris or mineral deposits from water in the machine. It is important to regularly clean them in warm soapy water every three months. Replace when necessary. Note: Always turn off the water supply BEFORE removing the inlet filters. Follow the manufacturers’ instructions when removing inlet filters.
Rodents and other animals like racoons and skunks live on our reserves. You can take the following steps to prevent them from wandering near or into your home.
Close up all holes along your exterior using recommended rodent-proofing materials. Pay particular attention to doors, windows, and vents.
Trim overhanging trees that allow rodents to hop onto your roof. Also, keeping your trees pruned gives rodents one less place to hide from predators.
Remove piles of debris, clutter, and garbage from your yard. Plant shrubs and bushes at least 3 feet from buildings. These spaces provide safe habitats for rodents
Gardens and fruit trees attract rodents. If you have fruit trees, remove fruit that has dropped on the ground. Keep the trees pruned to prevent hiding spots for rodents. Apply a rat guard to your trees by securing a piece of sheet metal that’s 2 feet high around your tree’s trunk. Remove rotting food from gardens. Mint plants deter rodents from your garden. You can also spray predator urine (such as fox) around the perimeter of your garden as a deterrent. Typically, you can find the urine at garden stores in both powder and liquid form.
If rodents don’t have food, they certainly have no reason to want to invade your home. Don’t leave food sitting out in and around your home. Make sure garbage cans and pet food are securely contained in rodent-proof bins.
Snap traps are affective at killing rats that try to enter your home. They should be placed perpendicular to walls in your home
