It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Unfortunately, it’s also when winter pests are searching for food and shelter inside our homes. Tis the season for mouse invasions!
So how can you prevent mice from eating Santa’s cookies this Christmas? Mouse-proof your home with these easy mice prevention tips:
Keep a Clean House
Mice need very little food to survive so eliminating their food sources can be difficult. So while keeping a tidy house won’t solely prevent a mice infestation, it will definitely make your home less attractive shelter. Clean up spills immediately, don’t leave dog food out, keep food in sealed containers, and de-clutter. You want to get rid of as many hiding places as possible, which will help to prevent reproduction.
Seal Openings
The best way to keep mice out is by not letting them in. This can be tricky since mice can fit through openings as small as 1/4 inch. You’ll want to inspect your home for any openings and seal them with steel wool, caulking, metal or concrete, depending on where the crack is. You’ll also want to check doors, window, and screens, and repair as needed.
Set Traps
If you suspect mice activity in your home, setting traps can be an effective way to get rid of them, without them dying inside your home leaving behind unpleasant odors. Placement of the traps is key so it’s best to contact an exterminator to do this. After inspecting your home, a pest control professional can determine where mice are getting in, where they’re nesting, and where traps should be placed to get rid of them quickly.
Think you may have a mouse in your house? Here’s how to tell and how you can get rid of him (or them!).
How to Identify Mice
You may be wondering if you have mice or rats. While similar, mice are smaller than rats and less cautious. This makes them easier to identify and remove than rats. Their small size makes them more of a nuisance, though, since they can get through spaces as small as 1/4 inch. Mice are not picky eaters so it’s likely your home is providing them with a steady food source, which they usually search for at night. And because they breed often and can reproduce in less than 6 weeks, catching them early is key unless you want family of mice moving in. Another way to identify mice is by their droppings which are usually very small, black, and rod-shaped with pointed ends.
How to Get Rid of Mice
Because mice can fit through tiny spaces, eat almost anything, and are nocturnal creatures, they can be quite elusive and hard to get rid of. The quickest and most effective way to get rid of mice is with professional pest control. An experienced exterminator will know where to look for entry points around your home, identify nesting areas, current and potential food sources, provide the best plan of attack (which can include baits, traps, or a combination of both), and will give you recommendations for future mice prevention. If you’re noticing any of the following, call a pest control company today.
An unusual odor
Noises at night
Droppings
Gnawed areas
Tracks or tail marks in dusty areas
How to Prevent Mice from Returning
Excluding mice can be difficult with their ability to fit through small spaces and with a diet consisting of almost anything. Any gaps or holes around your home should be properly sealed. Common areas of entry are around vents, pipes, utility lines, doors, and windows. Next, you’ll want to eliminate food sources – take out trash daily, keep a clean home, clean up spills immediately, and store food & pet food in sealed containers.
