There’s nothing worse than sharing your home with unwanted guests. Sometimes, it’s a relative who’s overstayed their welcome. More often than not, however, it’s pests.
When it comes to mice, if you see one, you know there are many more lurking in the shadows. Did you know a single female rodent can breed six times a year, producing up to 12 babies at a time? That’s a lot of mice.
A couple of mice in your home can quickly turn into an entire colony. The question is, how to keep mice away and dissuade them from coming into your house in the first place. You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about how to mouse-proof your home.
1. Seal Up Access Points Into Your Home
First, seal up any entrances they may be using to gain entry into your home. If you’ve found holes, gaps, or cracks you suspect they have been using, use steel wool and caulk to seal the entry point. While mice can chew through drywall, cardboard, and even thin wood, they can’t chew through steel wool.
Search the interior and exterior of your home for potential access points. We also recommend setting up traps and/or poison bait at these points.
2. Pay Attention to the Signs of a Rodent Infestation
Awareness is the key to learning how to keep mice away. You must know how to identify the presence of mice in your home. The sooner you notice the signs of mice, the sooner you’ll be able to rectify the situation.
Pay attention to:
- Tracks near walls and possible entry points
- Rodent droppings
- Gnawed drywall, boxes, etc. (especially in storage areas)
- Odor (from rodent feces and urine)
- Sounds (scurrying, scratching)
Be proactive about looking for signs of mice. Check under furniture, under sinks, in the basement and attic, in storage areas, etc.
3. Remove Any Food Sources
Learning how to get rid of mice means learning how to turn off your “vacancy” sign. Mice are drawn to food and water. Crumbs on the floor, open food containers in the pantry or cupboard, and unsealed pet food in the garage will attract mice.
This includes trash. We recommend using a trash bin with a lid that seals in odor and prevents access to rodents and other pests.
4. Keep Vegetation and Debris Clear of the House
Like most animals, mice are primarily concerned with their own survival. Whenever possible, they will use cover to move from one place to another or as shelter. This includes plant life and debris.
If you have excess vegetation or debris against the outside of your home, you can bet there are mice there. It’s only a matter of time before they move from that outdoor shelter to the inside of your home.
5. Know When to Call for Backup
Finally, learning how to keep mice away may come down to calling in the experts. We recommend using this strategy soon rather than later. As noted above, mice reproduce quickly and can cause a lot of damage in a short period of time.
Get ahead of the curve and call a professional exterminator the second you see signs of mice. For example, at Altuspest.com, you can find experienced mice removal and prevention experts.
Want More Information on How to Keep Mice Away and Other Home Improvement Tips?
Being a homeowner is one of the most rewarding experiences of being an adult. However, it can be hard to relax and enjoy the benefits of homeownership when you know you’re not the only one living in your house. Whether you’re learning how to keep mice away or want to improve the value of your home with some simple updates, we can help.
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