They may be small and cute, but unfortunately mice are still pests. Because they breed so quickly, an infestation can occur almost seemingly overnight. They will create holes in your walls and eat away the structural integrity of your home, quite literally. So to remedy this, here’s an article on how to keep mice out of your home. Don’t let mice ruin your house.

”It doesn't matter if a cat is black or white, so long as it catches mice.” - Deng Xiaoping

The Signs

Mice can be a problem when left unchecked
Cute, but very harmful to a home. Source: YouTube

Unfortunately, if you see a mouse, there’s probably more. Because there’s never just one mouse. If you want to keep mice out, you’re going to have to look for the signs. So be on the lookout for signs like these:

  • Droppings
  • Holes
  • Gnawing in home
  • Urine smell
  • Nests
  • Unusual pet behavior
  • Noises in the walls

Seal Everything

Seal up every nook and cranny in your home to prevent an infestation from occuring
Seal up the cracks of your home, for a number of reasons. Source: DIYnetwork

Make sure there are no entrance ways into your home for mice or similar critters. Rodents can squeeze through mind-blowingly tight spaces and run across wires. So you’re going to want to seal up every possible crack in your home, using caulking if necessary. This might be the most straightforward method on how to get rid of mice in the walls.

Don’t Leave Out Food

It sounds so simple that it may be misconstrued as insulting, but seriously, even a few crumbs that fell off a plate is more than a meal for little rodents. If you want to know what attracts mice in your house, this is absolutely the case. So equally as important as sealing your house, make sure you don’t invite mice inside in the first place.

If you detect an infestation, you’ll need an exterminator fast. Did you know the cost for services changes based on where you live? For example, in Houston, TX it can cost an average of $316 for pest control, while in Las Vegas, NM, it can cost an average of $396. Want to get a more accurate estimate for free? Get in touch with a homeyou pro near you!

Clear Out Exterior Clutter

Best bet is to clear away any underbrush around your home
Don't give the mice a place to live or they could take up residence in your home next! Source: Best Weed Eaters

The exterior around your home is also unfortunately inviting to mice, especially if there’s a lot of brush or bushes to hide in. Mice love tight, narrow corridors as it protects them from predators. To keep mice out of you home, avoid a cozy exterior that they can stay in. So be sure to clear out the exterior of your home and cut away any overgrowth from plants or trees.

Natural Deterrents

Here’s the how to get rid of mice: home remedies version. It sounds odd, but many types of rodents hate spicy food. This is convenient if you’re a bird lover, because birds usually love spices. You can actually mix chili powder with your birdseed to deter squirrels from eating it. In any case, here are some other natural remedies that rodents do not like:

  • Cocoa Powder
  • Plaster of Paris
  • Onions
  • Steel Wool
  • Used Kitty Litter
  • Instant Potatoes
  • Peppermint Oil

Get a Cat

You can always just get a cat
Certain breeds of cat are better at catching mice than others. Source: Washington Post

If all else fails, sometimes low tech solutions work the best. A cat can sometimes be the best way to get rid of mice in kitchen. Cats will certainly take out some of your mice, and depending on what breed of cat, control the population somewhat. In some rare cases however, the cat may attempt to befriend the mice. So what makes the cat a good mouser? Go with a British Shorthair, American Shorthair, or American Polydactyl. They’re some of the best mouser breed available today.

Traps

So how do exterminators get rid of mice? Last but not least, you can always try traps. Different mice respond differently to different traps. But by far the most successful combination seems to be peanut butter on a glue trap. Most small mice will fall for this trap, especially if you lay it against a wall. The only downside? It does not kill them, so they’ll be understandably scared when you pick the trap up.


Need some pest removal done professionally? Or maybe some tips? Get in touch with a pro for a free estimate!

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