Mouse infestations can take a long time to eradicate. Using a detailed inspection, sealing entry points, removing food sources, and setting traps or bait stations will help shorten the timeline.
“Figure out how mice are getting into the home so you can seal those areas,” says an Associate Certified Entomologist. “This may involve doing a thorough sweep and looking for telltale signs like chew marks on food packages.” Read on and Learn More Here.
Cat Litter
Keeping a cat around is one of the most common and effective ways to deter mice. The smell of cat urine is very unpleasant to rodents, and the feline’s sharp teeth are a deterrent. But if your house isn’t a good fit for pets, or you don’t want to add another animal to the household, using kitty litter as a repellent can be very effective.
Put on a pair of gloves and use a scoop that you don’t mind getting dirty to dig through used kitty litter from the box (a garden spade or typical kitty litter scoop will work well). Make sure the litter has been used by a cat, and place it in a plastic tub, bowl, or pan. Place it in areas where you see mouse activity or where they enter the house.
This method can also be very effective in a garage, basement, or crawl space where mice are frequently encountered. It is also helpful to identify potential entry points and seal them with materials like steel wool or caulking, particularly those created by water, electric, and air lines entering the house.
Essential Oils
Mice can enter homes through gaps and cracks as small as a quarter of an inch, so it’s important to seal these areas with caulk. Outdoors, clear away clutter and brush, remove bird feeders, and keep wood piles at least 18” away from the home’s foundation.
Indoors, mice seek shelter in secluded places like the area under the sink or behind cabinets. Clean cluttered areas frequently and store food in airtight containers. You can also use dryer sheets and cedarwood chips as a natural rodent repellent for drawers and cabinets.
Another way to naturally deter rodents is by soaking cotton balls in peppermint oil and placing them in different locations where mice enter or exit the home (like gaps in skirting boards or under kitchen cupboards). You can also make an essential oil spray by combining 2 teaspoons of peppermint, lemon, citronella, and/or eucalyptus oil with water and/or rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and applying it to mouse-prone areas of the home. Remember to reapply the spray frequently to maintain effectiveness.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is a natural way to repel mice. Mice have a strong sense of smell, so the scent of peppermint can confuse their noses and prevent them from entering your home or business. It also works as a great alternative to chemical-based mouse repellents that may be harmful to humans and pets.
To use this natural deterrent, simply soak cotton balls in the oil and place them around your property. Make sure to place them near entry points, cracks, and crevices where mice could enter. You can also mix a solution of two teaspoons of the oil with water in a spray bottle and apply it in areas where you have seen signs of mouse activity.
While using peppermint oil as a deterrent can help, it is important to remember that mice are persistent, and you will likely need additional pest control services to ensure that they do not return. For example, if you have noticed droppings in your home, it is best to call in a professional pest control company as soon as possible for a thorough and effective pest treatment.
Traps
Mice can scurry through tight spaces like wall voids and crawl spaces, and often go unnoticed until they’ve reached infestation levels. Scratching and chewing noises in walls at night can be a dead giveaway to their presence.
The first step in getting rid of mice is to block their entry points into your home and other buildings by a process called rodent exclusion. This involves sealing with caulk tiny holes and gaps greater than 1/4″ in your home’s foundation, siding, doorways, and anywhere else they can squeeze into.
You can also use traps to get rid of mice in attics and other places where children and pets cannot reach them. Snap traps are the kind of traps most people think of, but you can also use humane catch-and-release traps that hold the mouse in a plastic cup until you can safely release it back into nature.
Finally, focus on good sanitation inside and out to remove the food, water, and shelter that mice require. Vacuum and sweep regularly, wipe down counters, and keep foods (including pet food) in airtight containers that they cannot chew through.
Exclusion
If you are struggling with a mouse infestation, you should explore options beyond trapping mice and using rodenticides. Exclusion is the process of sealing potential entry points that mice could use to enter a home, and it offers effective results without toxic chemicals.
Mice can squeeze into gaps the size of a pencil, so it’s important to seal any entry points. This can be done with steel wool, caulk, or hardware cloth. Steel wool is particularly effective because it is difficult for mice to chew through. It’s also important to seal gable vents and ridge caps. You can also reduce entrances by storing firewood away from the house and keeping shrubs and grass trimmed away from the foundation of the property.
To further reduce the chances of mice gaining entry to your home, keep food and pet foods in airtight containers. Additionally, sweep and wipe surfaces regularly to eliminate food crumbs and residue that can attract mice. Finally, storing items in plastic bins with tight-fitting lids is a great way to keep rodents out of the garage and basement.