When it comes to pests, one of the worst ones out there are mice. Not only are they difficult to get rid of, but they can also be dangerous for your health, and even chew through your walls and food.
As we find ourselves entering the colder winter months, mice are more likely to make their way into where it’s warm: your home. If you find yourself with a mice problem, then take a look at some of the best tips for getting rid of them.
Find Where They’re Coming In From
The first step is finding where their entry point is. Hopefully, it’s one single area and not multiple. If there are multiple entryways where the mice are getting in, it can be trickier to solve. Since mice can easily sneak through the tiniest of cracks, it can be difficult to keep them out.
However, once you find the exact place that they’re getting in through, you can seal off the area. A professional pest control service will help you determine the best methods for placement.
Set Traps
Mousetraps are still incredibly effective and can solve a large part of your problem. Add a little something on the trap to lure the mouse in, like peanut butter or even chocolate, and they won’t be able to resist.
If you prefer to go the humane route, then you can buy a trap that catches the rodent but leaves you able to release it into nature later. Otherwise, you can also consider glue traps that have no springs.
Fill Cracks With Steel Wool
If there’s one thing mice hate, it’s steel wool. Since they aren’t able to chew through the metal material, they won’t be able to make their way through areas stuffed with it. Pay close attention to anywhere you see even the slightest opening. You’d be surprised what mice can fit through.
Cut Back Trees
A lot of people don’t realize the connection between trees around their house and pests. Any sort of tree branch next to your home is basically inviting critters to make their way in. Think of branches as a road from mice to get to your home. In addition to cutting your trees back, you should also make sure that any piles of wood are kept at least 20 feet away from the house since mice like to make nests in the piles of wood.
Wipe Off Counters
It’s important that you wipe off your counters every time that you prepare something to eat. Even a few crumbs can attract rodents into your kitchen. If there’s nothing for them to sniff out, then you’ll reduce your chances of them trying to invade.