Mice are opportunists and will take up residence in your home if you have the right conditions. Leave a few crumbs on the floor and a space where they can get in and you will have a population of mice in no time at all. Once you have mice it can be a hassle to get rid of them because they are very prolific.
Once you have definitively discovered that you have a mouse problem, the next thing that you need to do is find a way to get rid of mice. Mice can cause a wide range of issues including structural damage to your home. Mice spread diseases through their faeces and the parasites that they carry, and they also carry bacteria and viruses.
One of the more serious dangers is that you may breathe in particles of mouse saliva, urine or droppings which can be released into the air if you try to sweep up any mouse “evidence”. If you plan to clean up any droppings or nesting materials, spray them down first with a disinfectant and wear gloves and a disposable mask.
Mice are nocturnal animals with very poor eyesight, but they do have an extremely sharp sense of hearing and smell. These senses allow them to easily sense predators and locate food sources. Colder weather drives many animals to seek warmth inside your home and if they find a source of food, you are going to have a difficult time finding a way to get rid of mice.
How To Look For Signs That Mice Are In My Home?
There are certain signs that are a definite indication of a mouse infestation. If you find mouse droppings or see items that have been chewed you have probably got a mouse problem. You may be able to hear mice moving around in your walls at night.
Most of the time you won’t actually see a mouse because they are so fast that they scoot at light speed through rooms and you may only see a flash of something and wonder if your eyes are deceiving you. By the time you realize that you may have seen a mouse, it is too late.
Remember, if you see one mouse, you probably have a lot more than that. Where there is one mouse, there are many and mice can multiply very quickly. A single female can produce 10 litters of six babies per year and those babies are ready to reproduce in just 30 days!
Why Do I Need To Get Rid Of Mice?
Mice are destructive and can cause an electrical fire by chewing through wiring. They can destroy insulation, fibreglass, foam and can gnaw through a variety of materials including doors, furniture, trim, cabinets and the framework of your home’s structure. The cost to repair this damage can add up quickly and if you are trying to sell your home, you won’t have much luck once the infestation is discovered by a potential buyer.
Mice waste more food by contaminating it than they eat. What you will discover are packages of food with holes chewed in them which is an indication that mice have been into it. You will need to throw those items out that have been contaminated by mice to avoid the risk of becoming ill.
How Can I Get Rid Of Mice?
One of the first things that people think of is poison, but this is not a very safe or effective method, especially if you have pets. The mouse eats the poison and dies and then your pet eats the mouse which puts your pet at risk of becoming sick.
Poisoned mice often crawl off somewhere to die a slow and painful death, usually in an inaccessible place like the walls of your home. Soon you may notice a very bad smell from the mice that are dead in your walls. This is one of the main reasons that you do not want to poison a mouse, because it is impossible to remove the mice from the walls of your home once they die without making holes in your walls.
The starting point is to find areas where the mice are getting into your home. You will need to seal as many cracks and small spaces as you can – including areas around pipes, doors, vents, windows and wires. If pipes cannot be blocked off, you can put mesh wiring over them or add steel wool inside of the pipe. Place weather stripping around doors and install a chimney cap if you have a chimney in your home.
Another important step to get rid of mice is to clean your entire house. You will need to get rid of any clutter or garbage that is lying around. Make certain that all food that is lying around is in sealed containers, in a freezer or bagged up. Pet and livestock food should be stored in airtight containers. If you compost, be sure to place the box far away from your house.
Place peppermint oil-saturated cotton balls around areas of your home where you think mice are getting in. Mice do not like the odour and will go to great lengths to avoid it.
How Can I Prevent Mice In My Home?
- Seal up any holes or cracks around your home where small critters can get inside;
- Place screening over air spaces under your home and in attics;
- Trim back branches and vines on and around your home where mice can jump over to your house;
- If you discover droppings place traps around the area.
- Store food in air tight containers, preferably glass jars with metal lids.
- Move garbage containers away from your home.
- Clean up any spilled food in your home and keep pet bowls clean after each use.
What Are Some Home Remedies For Mouse Problems?
- An effective remedy is to get a house cat. Cats love to hunt and will take care of the mice and prevent new ones from coming into your home;
- Sprinkle instant mashed potatoes around areas where mice are seen. They will eat the mashed potatoes which will quickly expand in their stomachs and kill them;
- Spray apple cider vinegar mixed with water around your home monthly. This is also effective to get rid of spiders.
How Can I Get Rid Of Mice With Pestrol?
Get rid of mice with Pestrol. Pestrol has plenty of effective solutions to help you get rid of mice and prevent future problems too. Whether you want to kill mice or trap them, there is a solution that will work for you.