How To Get Rid Of Mice Getting rid of mice is best accomplished with professional pest control and prevention.
HOW TO GET RID OF MICE
Posted By SafeGuard Pest Control Administrator When temperatures drop in the fall and winter, mice become more likely to invade homes and offices. They are looking for a warm place to sleep and a reliable source of food. Unfortunately, many buildings simply are not well defended against such infestations.
Mice are small, and they have sharp teeth that they use incessantly. A big hole is not required for a mouse to gain access to a building. In fact, if they happen upon a hole that is too small for them to squeeze through, they will enlarge it with their teeth.
THE TELLTALE SIGNS OF A MOUSE INFESTATION
How can a property owner know whether or not they have mice? One of the most obvious indications is the presence of mouse droppings inside the building. These are small, resembling grains of rice with a darker hue. Additionally, people may discover that some boxes and bags in their pantry show signs of having been gnawed through.
Occasionally, a homeowner will see tiny footprints on a dusty surface or discover a nest filled with shredded fibers. Any of these signs may demonstrate the presence of a dangerous pest.
HOW SERIOUS IS A MOUSE INFESTATION?
Many people are striving to use fewer chemicals in their private and professional lives. This is a laudable effort, but only in certain applications. Many natural pest control methods that are aimed at mice simply are not effective.
One of the most commonly tried mouse repellents is peppermint oil. In limited circumstances, 100-percent pure peppermint oil may be able to repel the occasional mouse. However, the effective use of this product is complicated. You must use enough of it and place it in the right locations. It also is necessary to refresh the application every two weeks to one month. Unfortunately, this method is not effective against mice that are already invading the home.
Other people are proponents of using cayenne pepper. They sprinkle it in the areas where they find mice. The problem with this method is that it really only pushes mice to other parts of the building where it may be difficult or impossible for cayenne pepper to be applied.
With their spicy and unpleasant scent, cloves are said to be a natural repellent. People who believe in this method wrap cloves in cloth and leave them around their property. Others use clove essential oil soaked in cotton balls. Once again, this method may keep mice away from the immediate area, but it cannot force the pests to leave the property.
Yet another proposed natural solution involves used kitty litter. This method involves scattering used kitty litter around the home's perimeter. Apparently, mice will smell the scent of cat waste and get scared away. However, this method hardly seems sanitary, attractive or effective. No one wants their home to be surrounded with used kitty litter, and it seems unlikely that this method would prompt existing pests to leave the property.
WHEN DIY METHODS FAIL
The natural mouse control methods discussed above have limited utility. Most of them simply don't address the problem of eradicating an existing population of rodents in a building.
Of course, it is possible to find other means of potentially controlling mice. These include chemical poisons and traps. Once again, when wielded by someone who is not an expert, these methods frequently fall short of expectations.
However, outcomes may be radically improved thanks to the intervention of a professional pest control company. Technicians use a combination of poisons and traps to eradicate mouse populations. Thanks to their knowledge and expertise, these methods are incredibly effective.
HOW TO GET RID OF MICE IN AN APARTMENT
Controlling mice in an apartment building can be trickier than controlling mice in a single-family dwelling. However, it is possible through coordination between the landlord, the tenants and the exterminator.
Apartment housing complicates pest control because it can be difficult for all of the tenants to get on the same page. Most tenants react quickly once they know what to do, cleaning up kitchens and resolving to get rid of spills and crumbs as soon as they occur.
However, some people may resist these efforts, figuring that it's someone else's problem. This is where the role of the landlord or manager is key. It's largely their responsibility to find a way to enforce compliance with pest control measures.
If you live in an apartment and you're concerned about a mouse infestation, talk to your landlord first. They should contact a professional exterminator to deal with the issue.
HOW TO GET RID OF MICE OUTDOORS
Property owners can take many steps to get rid of mice in yards. The process begins with keeping woodpiles and yard debris piles well away from buildings. Keep the yard clean by not letting trees, plants and grass to get overgrown.
If you routinely feed birds, squirrels or other wildlife in your yard, then you may want to stop this practice. Any birdseed, nuts or similar foods will attract mice. Moreover, it is not wise to keep pet food outdoors as this also attracts a range of pests.
Keep outdoor garbage cans clean, and ensure that they have tight-fitting lids. This prevents mice from looking to trash as a food source.
Routinely inspect the yard for signs of small animal burrows. Use dirt or rocks to fill in or cover these burrows to discourage rodent activity.
While cleaning up around the yard, spend some time looking at the exterior of the structures. Are their holes or cracks through which rodents could enter the buildings? If so, then it makes sense to fill or cover these.
HOW TO GET RID OF MICE IN KITCHEN CABINETS
It is wise to make it harder for mice to get into cabinets. Seal all gaps and cracks in cabinetry to prevent mice from entering, then ensure that all crumbs are removed. Food that is kept in cabinets should be placed in metal or glass containers with tight-fitting lids as mice cannot gnaw through these materials.
Take a few minutes to inspect the space beneath the kitchen sink. Mice frequently find a way into the home through this area thanks to the openings around pipes. Wire mesh or caulk may be used to prevent mice from entering in the first place.
WORKING WITH A PEST MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL
Whether mice have been spotted in the yard or the cupboard, they represent a serious threat to health and safety. Accordingly, it's sensible to act quickly to resolve the infestation.
A licensed rodent control professional can accurately identify the pest, propose the proper treatment plan, and then take immediate steps to end the infestation. When such efforts are combined with cleaning and exclusionary techniques used by the property owner, it is possible to not only end the current infestation but also guard the home or office against future pest problems.
