Discovering you have a mouse can not only be annoying, but it can be potentially dangerous to you and your loved ones. The sooner you evict these little pests from your home, the better it will be for your livelihood.
Unfortunately, like most pests in Northeast PA and the Poconos, a mice infestation can be tricky to deal with. There’s no telling how many rodents may be residing in your home, where they may be coming from, and where they may have made a nest.
If you think you may be experiencing a mouse problem, here are 11 proven tips about how to rid your house of mice for good.
1. Find Their Entry Point
The first step to stopping a mouse infestation is finding where they are coming from. Mice are so tiny they can slip through the smallest crack or tiniest hole. Additionally, these little critters can burrow their way in through a spot as big as a pen cap. Check the inside of your home from top to bottom to see any possible access areas.
2. Close off Entry Points
Once you have found where they are coming in, it is time to shut them out. Steel wool and caulking are great tools for sealing up any potential entryways. Check around vents, utility pipes, foundation, and basement windows. Try not to use any sealants that mice can gnaw through, such as plastic or wood. If the mice can’t get in, they won’t be a problem.
3. Look for the Signs
If you suspect you have a mouse problem, there are some signs to look for. Mouse droppings are a clear indication that you may mice. You can usually find them near entryways, nests, or food sources. Aside from droppings, you may find chewed boxes in your pantry, attics, or basement. Mice look for nesting materials, and they can chew right through cardboard food containers. Additionally, scan your walls and wiring for possible gnaw damage and be wary of foul odors.
4. Determine the Type
If you do have a mouse, determining the type is a good way to stop it from coming back.
The three most common mice types and their traits are:
House mice
- Use shredded materials to build nests
- Eat glue, soap, and many other things
- Carry typhus, salmonella, and bubonic plague
- ¼ of an inch to ½
- Reddish black, nocturnal
Deer Mice
- Outdoor habitat in sheds, barns, and garages
- Transmit Hantavirus
- About, 5-8” long
- Light brown with white feet and belly
- Chew through wires, insulation, furniture, etc.
White-footed Mice
- Seek refuge in the Fall and Winter months
- Can spread bacteria and diseases through food
- Can transmit Lyme through ticks
- 6-8”
- Light to reddish-brown
- Found in brushy, Northeastern areas
- Eat insects, wood, seeds, nuts, and fruit
5. Eliminate the Food Source
Mice don’t want to live where there is no food source; take steps to protect yours. Make sure to store and seal all food in airtight canisters. Don’t forget about pet food. Also, be sure not to leave out empty food containers or dirty dishes. Cover all trash receptacles and tidy any areas that serve as a dining areas. These extra steps will not only help prevent an infestation, but it can protect you from contamination should you experience one.
6. Set Mouse Traps
While not always successful, should you find a mouse in your home, you can try to set your own traps. DIY home remedies are not proven to work and may actually make a problem worse. Classic snap traps, humane traps, or any other store–bought trap can work, Try a few different ones; mice can be clever and avoid certain hazards. Always have more than one because you can’t be certain if you have one mouse or many.
7. Use the Right Bait
Cheese may work in the cartoons, but mice prefer other treats. When setting your trap, try various baits to trap mice: chocolate, peanut butter, bacon, or dried fruit. Replace the bait and try something new to lure out your pesky invaders. Avoid using poisons, however, especially if you have pets. Poisons are not recommended for the DIY homeowner due to the harm they can cause!
8. Location! Location! Location!
Placing traps and plugging up holes is crucial to eliminating a pest problem. Mice stay close to their food sources and their homes. Place these traps where you see signs of a mouse: building nests, scratches on walls, or droppings.
9. Mice aren’t just an inside problem.
Mice don’t only look indoors for solace; they can be attracted to outdoor refuse too. If you have a buildup of yard clippings, branches, or firewood, mice may take that as an open invitation. Make sure that you keep any possible nesting areas to a minimum.
10. Keep things clean!
While keeping your home clean won’t rid your house of mice, it can keep it from getting out of hand and keep you safe. Mice can contaminate your food and transmit diseases. The best course of action is to be vigilant and clean all surfaces. Without any areas to scavenge food, the mice are less likely to return.
11. Make a game plan.
The most crucial way to tackle a mouse problem is to have a game plan. If you discover signs of a mouse in your home, take the steps to seal off entryways, locate their living space, and limit their food supply. If you believe your mouse infestation may be more serious, contact a pest control specialist to help you deal with the problem. Be prepared for the worst and aim to prevent it.
[wpforms id=”1017″ title=”true” description=”true”]