It’s a horrible experience finding that mice have invaded your home! Hearing the scuttering and pattering as they run through the house is enough to put anyone on edge. The problem is that once they’re in, they can be hard to get rid of, but you must manage to get them out before they start to breed. Here are some ideas on how you can try and tackle your rodent problem at home.
Block Entries
This task might take you some time to complete, but you must identify all the possible entrance and exit spots the mice use to get around your home. They are likely to be in hard to reach places that are hidden away, so a thorough search will be required. Once you have found these holes and gaps, securely seal them off so that there is no way the mice can get through them. This is an excellent first step to keeping rodents out of your house.
Set Traps
Setting a trap for mice or other rodents is another way of getting rid of them. Although it isn’t always pleasant, these are some of the most effective techniques. There are a range of different types of traps, however, and more humane ones are a good option if you don’t like the idea of killing them. If you have pets at home, then be careful if you choose traps with poison. It’s advised that you use other methods to avoid your dog or cat ingesting the lethal bait.
Pest Control
Does the thought of dealing with a mice problem by yourself make you shudder? Perhaps the infestation has been going on for a while, and you’re getting frustrated because the problem is not getting any better. Sometimes a problem is better left to the professionals. Research local pest control companies who can come out to your home and carry out thorough decontamination.
Peppermint Oil
For a more natural remedy, it is said that the scent of peppermint deters mice. This could be a useful alternative if you have pets or want to try a more humane method before traps. Soak cotton balls or rags in the peppermint oil and place them in the rooms around your house, preferably at the points where you believe the mice are entering your home. However, this might not be as effective in areas where they have already frequented.
Cats
If you already have a cat, then you might find your problems with mice are rare or non-existent. If not, consider getting a cat as a pet as they are natural predators that mice will want to steer clear of. If you don’t want to commit to a full-time pet, ask a friend or relative who owns a cat if you can borrow it for a few days as it might be able to catch a few mice for you during its stay. The scent of a cat might be enough to run the rodents out of your house itself.
To avoid mice and rats turning up in your house, make sure that you are keeping the place clean and tidy, removing any food sources that will attract them. However, if you do find yourself in this unfortunate situation, try these techniques to get these unwanted guests out of your home.