Are you trying to get rid of mice from your home?
Everyone hates the sight of mice. They are like a disaster waiting to happen. This is due to the health risk they pose to our loved ones and pets. They can cause costly damage to our properties.
You can mice-proof your home by adopting measures that seal off all potential entry points and make your home less attractive to them. But what if these pests are already in your home? What do you do to eradicate them?
We have highlighted a few tried and tested methods below to get rid of mice from your home.
What Attracts Mice to Your Home
Mice are attracted to many things in the home. Knowledge of these things will help in your fight against these pests. Here are some of the things that draw mice into your home.
1. Shelter
Mice are often looking for shelter and warmth, especially during winter. If you allow them, they’ll creep into your space and make themselves at home.
2. Food
Just like humans, mice need food to survive. Of course, you don’t expect them to go shopping. Neither do you expect them to go farming. Rather than do all these, they settle for easy meals located in the waste bin in your kitchen, plates, etc.
3. Nesting materials
Mice need to procreate to expand their lineage. To do so, they need nests to birth and bring up their babies. If your home gives them the perfect spot and materials to procreate and rear their young ones they’ll definitely love it.
Signs of Pest Infestation
How do you know you have pests in your home? What are the signs to watch out for? Here are a few of them
- Chew-or scratch marks
- Mouse droppings
- Food crumbs or debris
- Odd pet behavior
- Nest
- Strange noises
How to Get Rid of Mice
1. Remove all Food Sources
Unlike the average human who needs to eat twice daily, mice only need a tidbit of food daily. To make your home less attractive for these pests, get rid of the things they like to eat.
Mice like grains, seeds, and fruits. If you have grains in your home, ensure you store them in a metal container with tight-fitting lids. The same applies to pet foods and other dry goods.
In addition to storing food sources, ensure you don’t leave pet food out for long. And if there is a spill or mess, don’t hesitate to clean it up.
2. Cover all entry points
As the winter season approaches, mice will try to gain access to your home to shield themselves from the nippy temperature. Your job is to ensure that it doesn’t happen.
And how do you make sure of that?
You can keep mice at bay by blocking potential entry points with materials like caulk. If you notice holes around your home, seal it with weather-stripping to frustrate their attempt to enter your home. If you have vent openings, consider blocking them with wool to prevent entry without stopping airflow.
3. Get a Cat
Are you tired of seeing mice scurry past you while feeling helpless? Do you want to change the tides with one of the mouse’s greatest enemies? Then it would be best if you got a cat.
Cats and mice have always been arch enemies since the old days of Tom and Jerry. However, we only recommend purchasing a cat if no one in your home has a cat allergy.
If you aren’t a fan of cats or want to get rid of those annoying mice once and for all, call in mice control for help. With mice control, you have a greater chance of ridding your home of mice.
4. Use Natural Mice Repellent
Mice have poor vision but a powerful sense of smell. You can use their strong point to your advantage in your attempt to banish them from your home. Consider these natural mice repellant options:
Essential oils: Peppermint oil, cayenne, pepper, and cloves can be used to deter mice. The aroma of these essential oils is so strong for mice that they irritate their nasal cavity, hence why they hate them. Buy any of these essential oils, dip multiple cotton balls in them, and place them in areas where mice thrive.
Apple cider and water: Mix apple cider vinegar and water. Insert the mixture into a spray bottle and spray it around your home, including possible access points. This trick also works for bugs and insects.
Fabric softener sheets: Look around your home for possible entry points and insert fabric softener sheets into them to prevent mouse movements.
Conclusion
Mice are disease carriers. They spread diseases like Hantavirus, salmonella, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis through their waste. In addition to being disease carriers, these pests are destructive.
The risks these pests pose to your home and its occupants are good reasons why you need to see them as an enemy and deal with them without hesitating as your property, and the health of your loved ones depends on it.