Mouse-Proofing Your Home: Creating a Safe and Healthy Living Environment

Mice are common pests that may invade your home in winter. As the temperature drops, mice enter houses to find food and shelter. Despite their size and cuteness, they can cause serious home damage and contaminate your food and surfaces. Also, mice can spread dangerous diseases. Recognizing the signs of mice in your house is key to prompt action and elimination. You can reach out to a pest control company like Mug-A-Bug Pest & Termite Control for help with the removal process. 

Before an infestation happens, spotting signs of mice can be challenging. Common signs to look out for include small, dark droppings that look like rice grains, chewed holes in boxes and bags, greasy smear marks, nests full of wood shavings or shredded paper, gnaw marks, and an ammonia-like smell. 

Mouse-Proofing Your Home

To prevent a mouse infestation, here are the steps you should take:

• Block entry points. Mice can easily squeeze their bodies through tiny holes. So, block all cracks and holes that mice can use to get into your house. You can do this by using wire wool to seal cracks. Bigger entry points can be addressed by covering the holes with mesh and sheet metal. For gaps under the door, an excluder or a bristle strip can be used. Make sure to check the doors and windows to ensure they do not have entry points for mice. Caulk can be used to fill tiny gaps. 
• Seal food sources. Dry food items stored in plastic or paper bags can be easily accessed by mice. To protect your food supply from mice, store food in sealed plastic, glass, or metal containers. If possible, keep all containers on shelves. Also, do the same with any pet food you have. Keep wet food in storage containers and store dry food in bins. 
• Keep your home tidy. Keeping with home cleaning can be challenging given the many tasks to tackle every day; however, it’s necessary to prevent mice and other pests from infesting your house. Leaving food crumbs on the floor or worktop will encourage rodents by offering them a source of food. Keeping your home tidy ensures mice do not have a place to hide. 
• Use smells. Aside from physical barriers, some scents can serve as natural repellents that keep mice at bay. You can use scents such as peppermint oil, vinegar, cinnamon, rosemary, sage, daffodils, and marigolds alongside the methods above for an extra layer of protection.
• Use traps and bait. The majority of methods above prevent a mouse infestation, not control an existing mouse problem. Once mice have set up camp in your home, you must take action right away to prevent an infestation from worsening. Bait stations can kill mice easily. 

When to Call an Exterminator

Not all DIY-mice proofing solutions can effectively address an existing infestation. Professional ice exterminators have extensive experience strengthening their skills and knowledge in this area. They have access to tools and resources to make sure your house is protected. The best pest control company can employ the right method and solution to prevent and remove mice from your house. They will seal entry points for mice and trap existing mice to eliminate them for food. 

By implementing mice-proofing strategies, you can keep your home free of mice and other pests and create a safe environment for your family. Regular maintenance is vital to preventing mice from invading your property and making sure your house stays safe and healthy. Using physical barriers along with natural repellents offers a comprehensive approach to mouse control. So, if you believe you have a mouse problem in your house, do not wait until it becomes a full-blown infestation before you contact professional exterminators.