Stopping mice from entering your home and causing damage requires a combination of preventive measures, sealing entry points, and deterring their presence. Here’s a comprehensive guide:
1. Seal Entry Points
- Inspect Your Home: Look for cracks, holes, and gaps in walls, around pipes, vents, doors, and windows. Mice can squeeze through holes as small as a dime.
- Use Appropriate Materials:
- Steel Wool or Copper Mesh: Stuff holes and gaps with steel wool or copper mesh, then seal with caulking to prevent mice from chewing through.
- Caulk and Foam Sealant: Use for sealing smaller gaps.
- Metal Flashing: For larger gaps, cover them with metal flashing or hardware cloth.
2. Keep Your Home Clean and Unattractive to Mice
- Food Storage: Store all food in airtight, rodent-proof containers, especially in the pantry.
- Clean Up Crumbs and Spills: Regularly sweep floors and wipe down counters.
- Food Waste Management: Keep food waste in tightly sealed bins and take it out regularly.
- Pet Food: Don’t leave pet food out overnight.
3. Remove Outdoor Attractants
- Yard Maintenance: Keep your yard free of debris, such as woodpiles, leaves, and clutter, which can serve as hiding places.
- Trim Vegetation: Trim shrubs and tree branches that are close to your home, as they can act as bridges for mice.
- Seal Outdoor Storage: Ensure that sheds, garages, and outdoor storage bins are rodent proof.
4. Install Barriers
- Door Brush Strips: Install door sweeps on all exterior doors to close gaps.
- Window Screens: Repair or replace torn window screens.
- Drain Guards: Install a rodent-proof mesh on your drainpipes.
5. Use Deterrents
- Natural Deterrents: Peppermint oil, cloves, or ammonia-soaked cotton balls placed near entry points can deter mice, though these are not long-term solutions.
- Electronic Repellents: Ultrasonic devices may help but should not be relied upon as the sole measure.
6. Trap and Monitor
- Set Traps: Use snap traps, or live traps in areas where mice are active. Place traps near walls, as mice typically travel along them.
- Bait Effectively: Use peanut butter, chocolate as bait.
7. Consider Professional Help
If the infestation persists or if you’re dealing with extensive structural damage, contact a pest control professional.
8. Maintain Vigilance
- Regular Inspections: Periodically check for new entry points or signs of mice.
- Monitor for Activity: Look for droppings, gnawed materials, or scratching sounds.
Taking a proactive and comprehensive approach will not only stop mice from entering but also reduce the likelihood of future infestations
Facts about Mice
General Characteristics:
- Small but Mighty: Mice are small rodents typically measuring 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm) long, excluding their tails, which are often as long as their bodies.
- Whisker Sensitivity: Mice use their whiskers to sense their surroundings, helping them navigate in the dark or tight spaces.
Behaviour and Abilities:
- Excellent Climbers and Jumpers: Mice can climb vertical surfaces and jump up to 12 inches (30 cm) high.
- Escape Artists: They can squeeze through openings as small as a dime (around 6 mm) thanks to their flexible skeletons.
- Social Creatures: Mice are highly social animals, often living in groups and communicating with each other using high-pitched sounds.
Senses:
- Keen Smell and Hearing: Mice rely on their excellent sense of smell and hearing, as their eyesight is relatively poor.
- Ultrasonic Communication: Male mice can produce ultrasonic “songs” to attract mates.
Lifespan and Reproduction:
- Rapid Reproduction: Female mice can give birth to litters of 6-12 pups every 21 days, making them prolific breeders.
- Short Lifespan: Wild mice usually live for 1-2 years, while those in captivity can live up to 3 years.
Adaptability:
- Omnivorous Diet: Mice eat almost anything but prefer grains, fruits, and seeds.
- Habitat Versatility: They can adapt to various environments, from forests to urban areas.
Fun Trivia:
- They Groom Frequently: Mice are clean animals and spend a lot of time grooming themselves and their companions.
- Lab Legends: Mice are commonly used in scientific research because their genetic, biological, and behavioural characteristics are similar to humans.
Mouse Droppings
- Size: Small, about 1/4 inch (6 mm) long.
- Shape: Pellets are slender with pointed ends, resembling grains of rice.
- Colour: Dark brown to black, typically shiny when fresh.
- Quantity: Found in larger numbers (dozens at a time) as mice are frequent defecators.
- Location: Scattered around food sources, nesting areas, or along travel routes.
Rat Droppings
- Size: Larger than mouse droppings, about 1/2–3/4 inch (12–19 mm) long.
- Shape: Capsule-shaped, with blunt or slightly rounded ends.
- Colour: Dark brown to black, with a duller appearance when aged.
- Quantity: Fewer droppings than mice, as rats defecate less frequently.
- Location: Concentrated in specific areas, such as near nests or feeding spots.
Key Points:
- Norway rats (common rats): Droppings are larger, up to 3/4 inch, with blunt ends.
- Roof rats: Droppings are slightly smaller, about 1/2 inch, and more tapered at the ends.
Practical Tip:
To determine whether an infestation is active, check the droppings’ texture. Fresh droppings are soft and moist, while older ones become dry and crumbly.
By examining droppings, you can better identify the pest and take appropriate measures to manage the infestation.
When to get professional help?
You should consider calling a pro if you’ve tried some or all of the strategies listed but are still seeing signs of Mice. It can be challenging to locate access points and the reason for the infestation, but a professional will know exactly where to look and how to remove the activity in a timely and safe way.