5 Proven Ways to Get Rid of Mouse Infestation

Your home may be the best place for you in the world only if it has peace and no problem. But things are no longer so easy and peaceful when your home is infested with mice. Unlike small pests such as ants, roaches, flies and mosquitoes, mice are quite big and cause destruction on a larger scale. Not to mention, their disease-causing ability is also larger. Naturally, once you find that mice have entered your home, the most important job for you is to get rid of them as soon as possible.

1. Make the Mice Leave on Their Own

It might be a prime concern for you that do mice leave on their own. If they do, it’s well and good. But you have to do some efforts. Here are a few things you can do.

Introduce a Cat

Cats are natural predators of mice and their presence can control the mouse population in your property. It’s better if you can keep a cat or cats in your home. But if you cannot, you should at least keep one or more in your yard so that it can hunt mice. There are high chances that mice may leave on their own once cats start living on your property.

Use Mouse Repellents

Some substances are known as mouse repellents. You can try keeping them spread in your house to make mice leave your home on their own. These are:

Mothballs: Mothballs are homeowners’ friend. In addition to keep many insects away, they also help repel mice. However, you’ll have to be careful with them because they are toxic to humans as well as pets. So, make sure your children and pets can’t get near them.

Bay Leaves: To deter mice from entering your home, try placing bay leaves around the corners of cabinets and pantry. You can even crush dry bay leaves and sprinkle them in your windowsills.

Mint: Mice don’t like the smell of mint. You can use mint to repel them in two ways. Firstly, you can place mint plants around your doors and windows. Secondly you can sprinkle peppermint essential oil around your house.

Lure Mice Outside

Mice can leave on their own if you lure them outside. For this, you can use bait boxes which you can get at any home improvement store. They usually feature a box and poison bait. You can even get bait stations which are already baited. You’ll have to be careful while using these tools too if you have children and/or pets at home.

Place bait stations outside around your house. Target especially those areas that you suspect as entry points for mice.

If a mouse is found dead due to the poisonous bait stations, discard it immediately, because if some other animal eats it, that animal will be poisoned too.

2. Sealing Entry Points

Another way to get rid of mice is to prevent them from entering your home. You should understand that mice enter homes through holes and cracks in floors, walls and foundations. A common mistake homeowners do is that they don’t recognise these entry points until they find signs of infestation. Remember that mice have a great capability to shrink their body and enter through a hole or crack that may seem too small for their size to enter.

Gaps in windows and sewer lines, bathtub or sink drains and air bricks are easy access points for mice. All cracks, holes and other openings should be sealed with cement or metal and air brick vents should be covered with air brick mesh.

Make sure you store foods in metal or glass containers that have tight lids. Also make sure you dispose of all food waste as fast as you can.

3. Clean Your Home

Mice tend to get attracted to dirt and debris which often occur in the forgotten corners in homes. These may be in your storage rooms, closets and basements. Especially the following types of clutter can attract mice to make a home and so, should be removed.

Cardboard Boxes: Mice love to chew through cardboard boxes. Therefore, it’s a good idea to discard them right away.

Old Papers: Magazines, newspapers or any other old papers are great for mice to chew on. So, remove them too.

Old Wooden or Leather Furniture: Any old furniture made from wood, leather, foam or cloth can be a cozy home for mice. Don’t let it be lying unused in your home.

Old Cookware: If you have old plates, pots, pans and glasses that you’re planning to sell in your yard sale, remember to sell them as soon as possible as they can soon invite mice.

Old Bottles, Cans or Food Containers: These may attract mice if they have food or drink residue or its smell.

Old Clothes: Old clothes left on floor or in bags can also be easy nests for mice. It’s better to discard them, but if at all you want to store them, store them in tight plastic bins to keep mice away.

4. Clean Floors and Carpets

Any crumbs, spills and everyday dirt can attract mice. By cleaning and disinfecting your floors and carpets, you can make your home less enticing for mice. If possible vacuum your floors and carpets and rugs a few times a week.

Pay special attention to corners and other hidden spots that are not easily accessible where balls of hair and dust can collect. These materials are used by mice to make their nests.

5. Hire a Pest Control Service

Despite your best efforts, mice may enter your property and that’s a real concern. In that case, a good idea is to hire a professional pest control London service like Inoculand that specilises in mice control, moth control and proofing services. You can get the highest-quality pest control service to eliminate the mouse infestation that is beyond your control.

As you know, mice proliferate fast and their population may exceed 200 just within a few months. It’s therefore extremely essential to eradicate mouse infestation as soon as you notice it. You may try to do this on your own or take help of a professional pest control service. That will make your home the best place in the world for you.