Tips on Getting Rid of Mice
From Adviceopedia
No one wants to have rodents in his or her home or business, and the following tips on getting rid of mice will help to ensure that you no longer have to deal with these four-legged pests. Once you see evidence that your space has been invaded, it's time to take action before the problem multiplies.
Helpful Tips on Getting Rid of Mice
The problem of getting rid of mice is two-fold. Not only do you need to deal with the animals themselves, but also you need to make sure that there is no way for more mice to enter the premises after you have gotten rid of the ones you currently have.
Check Your Home or Business for Points of Entry
Mice can squeeze through very small openings, so you want to be sure that any cracks or holes in the building are sealed. Not only do you need to check the areas where people live and work, but you need to look at the crawl space or basement for places where the mice can gain entry. When you find a hole or a crack, you can use steel wool to fill it.
Eliminate Places Where Mice Can Find Cover
Mice can take cover in long grass and it's quite easy for them to enter your home when someone enters or exits through the open door. Make sure that you have eliminated spots where a mouse can hide as well as filled in any holes or cracks that are visible from the outside of your home.
Deal With Possible Sources of Food and Building Materials
Once you have looked after the exterior of your home, turn your attention to the interior. Your goal should be to eliminate sources of food and materials for nest building. Crumbs, leftovers and garbage in the house are all targets for mice. Make a point of checking cupboards for items that may have spilled and clean them up.
Clutter in your home may be giving mice materials they can use to build nests. Doing a thorough cleaning and keeping your living space tidy will discourage them from taking up residence in your space. This step also makes it easier for you to determine whether your home or business is infested. Mouse droppings, stains or marks may indicate you have unwelcome visitors.
Set Up Mouse Traps Close to Walls
The perimeter of the room is a place to find mice. They like to stick close to the walls, using their whiskers to stay on the edge of the room. If you set up mousetraps in these locations, you increase your chances of getting rid of the pesky rodents.
Wear Gloves When Putting Traps in Place
The last thing you want to do when trying to get rid of mice is to have them detect your scent on the traps. Wearing a pair of rubber gloves will keep them from picking up your scent and make it more likely that the animals will approach the traps.
Peanut Butter May Be Used to Bait Traps
Although cheese is the "traditional" item used to bait a mousetrap, peanut butter is a good substitute. It is possible for a clever mouse to remove a piece of cheese from the trap without triggering it. With peanut butter, it's more difficult to do so. When you want to get results from putting out mousetraps, consider this bait alternative.
Cotton Balls Also Make Effective Bait for Traps
When mice are looking for materials to make a nest, they seek out soft items. A cotton ball will do quite nicely for this purpose, and you can use it as an alternative to putting food in a mousetrap. Unlike food items, a cotton ball will last indefinitely without breaking down or becoming smelly.
Following these tips on getting rid of mice will help you deal with this common problem and lower your risk for a recurrence.
