Mice are very common pests around the world. They can be found everywhere from homes, offices and restaurants. In fact, they have been known to make their home inside a refrigerator or freezer! While mice aren’t usually dangerous for humans, they do carry diseases that could harm you if not taken care of properly. If you want to get rid of them before it is too late, then learn how to get rid of mice. Here are tips to get you started.
Keep an eye on your food supply
The first thing that needs to happen when dealing with any pest problem is keeping track of where food comes from. This includes both fresh produce as well as processed foods like meats, breads, cereals etc. It may sound simple but this tip will help ensure that there isn’t anything left behind by rodents that would attract them.
The best way to prevent infestations is to keep everything sealed up tight so no one gets access to what should remain uneaten. Another option is sealing containers that contain perishable goods such as fruits and vegetables. These items need to be kept out of reach of mice because they don’t know how to open jars. Also remember to check all garbage cans regularly. Make sure that nothing goes into those bins that might appeal to rodent-like creatures.
Don’t forget about trashcans either since they often become attractive to rodents looking for places to hide away while waiting for something to eat. You should also try using traps whenever possible. Traps come in many different forms. Some people use peanut butter which attracts rodents. Others trap them with cheese or meat. Still others prefer using glue boards.
Whatever method you choose, just make sure that you pick the right type of bait since some baits won’t work at all. For instance, mouse poison may not be effective against rats. A good rule of thumb is to stick with non-toxic solutions. The point is, eliminating food sources for mice could control and prevent mice infestation.
Keep your home clean and tidy
When it comes to keeping your home clean, always start with obvious areas. That means taking down plants, removing clutter and emptying trash cans. Once you have done that, go through each room and look under furniture, near appliances and even crawl spaces. Look for signs of droppings and other evidence of rodent activity.
As much as you hate doing it, sometimes it’s necessary to clean things up manually. And yes…you’ll still see droppings even though you’ve cleaned up everything else. When you’re finished, wash off surfaces and vacuum thoroughly. Be careful not to leave piles of debris lying around since they can easily provide shelter for animals. Check underneath sinks, cabinets, refrigerators and stovetops and remove any leftover crumbs or food scraps that may be attracting unwanted guests. Even empty boxes and bags can serve as hiding spots for mice.
Consider using pesticides
If you find that you are having problems with mice, consider getting professional assistance. There are pesticides available that kill mice without harming pets, children or other household members. But before you decide to buy them, ask yourself why you think mice are causing trouble. Are they eating more than usual? Is there excessive nesting going on? Do you notice large amounts of urine or feces outside?
Remember that most pesticide products are designed to target specific types of pests rather than killing every single kind indiscriminately. So, unless you specifically plan to eliminate mice, you may end up wasting money buying unnecessary supplies.
Instead, take advantage of natural methods that include placing bird seed throughout your yard to deter squirrels. Or simply set out bowls full of water to draw mice closer to your house and trap them. Just make sure that whatever solution you implement has a long lasting effect. Otherwise, you risk creating new problems instead of solving old ones.
Use prevention methods whenever possible
If you really want to avoid mice altogether, prevention is key. To begin with, seal up gaps wherever possible. Any cracks or holes that allow mice to enter your home must be plugged tightly. Then, place mesh over windows and doors to stop small animals from entering. Finally, put screens on exterior openings including vents, chimneys and window frames.
All of these measures will help reduce chances of mice coming indoors. Of course, none of these steps completely eliminates the possibility of infestations. However, they do create barriers between rodents and entry points. This makes it less likely that an animal will enter your home.
Summary
It goes without saying that keeping your house free of mice helps prevent further infestation. Still, when mice become established inside, it’s important to deal with them quickly and effectively. The best way to accomplish this is by using traps and poisons. Traps come in many different styles depending on what type of pest you wish to catch. Some are baited so that they lure prey into catching devices while others use motion sensors to detect movement. Regardless of which method you choose, once you trap the mice, you then dispose of it properly.