Mice can get into almost any house as they are clever critters. It doesn't mean your home is dirty or not well-maintained, but there are still some things you could work on, which we'll cover soon.
If you have a mouse infestation, rest assured you are not alone. Each winter, mice and other rodents invade an estimated 21 millions homes in the United States. Mice typically enter our homes between October and February, looking for food, water and shelter from the cold.
Simple Rodent Control Tips
Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the home, including areas where utilities and pipes enter the home, using caulk, steel wool or a combination of both. Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly. Keep attics, basements and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry.
A common misconception is that mice are only attracted to dirty places or areas with lots of trash, that is not the case. In fact, mice are explorers who go around looking for any source of food they can find. Just because your home is clean, doesn't mean you're protected from a mice infestation.
In fact, mice can easily go between homes by travelling through the void space and following the pipework. In the process, they will leave clues in the form of mouse droppings. The mice droppings are particularly distressing as they contaminate your surfaces and food stock.
A mouse infestation will not go away overnight, and it will only get worse if left untreated. In order to keep rodents at bay, it's imperative for homeowners to remain vigilant for the tell-tale signs of an infestation, which may also include scratching or scurrying sounds in the walls, attic or other crawlspaces.
Mice actually prefer to avoid human contact and are rather shy creatures, so the chances of them snuggling up with you in bed is not likely.
Mice can be kept away by using the smells of peppermint oil, cinnamon, vinegar, citronella, ammonia, bleach, and mothballs.
There are two main things that can attract mice and rats to your house – food and shelter. If you don't tidy up properly and there's food waste on the floor or surfaces, rodents are going to love it! Rats and mice also need shelter, particularly during winter to avoid the worst of the cold.
Are mice nocturnal? Yes, mice are nocturnal creatures, so they are most likely to be active and come out of their hiding during the night. They go out searching for food and nesting material when everyone is sound asleep.
Trapping is the fastest way to get rid of mice. While live traps catch mice and allow you to release them, other traps kill the mice on contact, making quick work of mouse populations.
As for the lights inside your house, it is not an effective mice deterrent. This is because they can easily look for dark areas to hide inside houses until such time as all lights are turned off. While the lights are on, they can hide inside walls, crawl spaces, attics, and ceilings.
Spotting one elusive mouse typically means there are at least five or six hiding out in your walls, basement, or attic. This is particularly true if you see a mouse at night or in a low-traffic area of your home. For more proof of a full infestation, look for these indicators: Scratching noises in the evening.
No Droppings
Older droppings are hard and dry. You want to scoop them up. Then, watch for moist, fresh mouse droppings to appear. A lack of new droppings is typically a strong indicator that all the mice are gone.
The odds of only having one mouse are minuscule. This is mostly because mice breed at a phenomenal rate. Female mice give birth to a litter of 5-15 mice. What's more, they do this 5-10 times a year. This means the mice population can increase at an exponential rate and mouse proofing is essential.
Be on the lookout for chewed food packaging inside your home, and also where the trash can is kept outside. Signs of mice also include noises that sound like the pitter-patter of little feet emanating from walls and ceilings. Smells in odd places can also be warning signs.
Question: Does one mouse mean an infestation? Answer: One mouse is not considered an infestation, per se. However, one mouse will almost always lead to an infestation if control methods are not put in place.
During the day, mice sleep hidden away in their nests typically made of soft materials. Nesting materials could include shredded paper, cardboard boxes, insulation, or cotton.
Peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, pepper and cloves.
Mice are said to hate the smell of these. Lightly soak some cotton balls in oils from one or more of these foods and leave the cotton balls in places where you've had problems with mice.
If mice have already taken refuge in the bedroom, there's a chance that they will crawl on you in bed. They typically do this when the fastest way to get from one place to the other is across the bed.
Rodents do not like any noise greater than 30 kHz. Sound greater than this intensity will irritate these pesky creatures.
Mice are nocturnal creatures, preferring to keep hidden during the day and search for food from dusk till dawn. Here are some common signs of mouse activity you can look for in your property.
Mice are nocturnal creatures, so they are most active between dusk and dawn. They don't usually like bright lights, but a mouse may sometimes be seen during the day, especially if its nest has been disturbed or it is seeking food. Seeing them in the day also can indicate a large infestation in a home.
Rats and mice can crawl through very small spaces (under doors, into crevices, etc.) and when they can't fit, then they simply gnaw and chew their way through.