How To Stop Mice Getting Into Your House
How To Prevent A Mouse Infestation
A mouse infestation can happen at any time, but there are plenty of ways you can help prevent it, like sealing entry points, removing food sources, and maintaining the perimeter around your home. They’re simple steps, but by following them, you’re helping to ensure the integrity of your property and the health of the people within it.
However, even the most prepared house can experience a mouse or rodent infestation, which is where this guide will come in handy. Read on to find out a few tips about how to stop mice from getting into your house, and what you should do if they’re already in there.
How To Mouse-Proof Your House
Below, we’re going to break down a few of the steps that you can take to stop mice from getting into your house, including:
- Securing your home by filling in entry points
- Efficiently removing food and water sources
- Maintaining the areas surrounding the house
Mice might seem cute, but an abundance of them, if left unchecked, can lead to some serious health problems, as well as cause damage to your property. So, what should you do?
Seal The Cracks & Crevices
Mice are small and can easily sneak in through even the tiniest cracks in the wall. When inspecting your home, look out for gaps that a mouse could crawl through, especially near drain pipes, vents, and door frames. Mice can also chew through plastic, wood, and rubber, making already existing cracks bigger and easier to access. By sealing these openings up, or filling them with the appropriate strong material, it’ll help stop them from entering in the first place.
Remove Food & Water Sources
From mice to insects and wasps, most pests will be attracted to the food in your home. If you’re trying to prevent mice from entering, the best thing you can do is dispense your cereals, crackers, and pet food out of their cardboard boxes and into airtight plastic and glass containers.
Any food that can drop crumbs will effectively leave a trail for a mouse to follow. Don’t give them a free meal, and ensure your food is stored well, not left out overnight, and that anything that has dropped on the floor is cleaned up quickly.
Maintain Outdoor Spaces
It’s not just the inside of the house you’ve got to secure, it’s the outside as well. Mice will thrive in damper and overgrown environments, so you’ve got to make sure the garden and any outdoor spaces are properly maintained. While this can be harder in the autumn and winter, by doing the preparation and groundwork in the summer, you can make it harder for mice to travel around freely and settle down in the garden.
What To Do If There Are Mice In The House
Despite all the preventative measures you can take, there’s always a chance a mouse can get into the house. Before anything, you need to look out for the signs, including:
- Droppings
- Bite marks
- Nesting shreddings
Mice will quickly make themselves at home in your house, but identifying these signs early, you can take the appropriate action. While you can certainly take measures yourself, such as using humane traps, there’s always the option to call in a professional control service.
And that’s it! A few tips to help prevent mice from getting into the house, and what to do if they’re already in there. If you need help with your rodent problems, as well as any other pest concerns, then get in touch with Ace Pest Control today by calling 01234 838 391.
Common Questions About Mice Prevention
How do mice get into a house?
Mice squeeze through very small gaps around pipes, vents, doors and roof edges, then follow wall cavities to find warmth and food. They are drawn in by easy access, so sealing obvious gaps on the outside of the property is one of the most effective first steps.
What is the smallest gap a mouse can fit through?
A mouse can squeeze through a gap about the width of a pencil, roughly the size of a small coin. This is why sealing even small cracks and gaps around the outside of a property makes a real difference.
Can I stop mice getting in myself?
Sealing gaps, keeping food covered and reducing clutter around the home can help reduce the risk. If mice have already got in, or keep returning, it is best to book a professional visit so the entry points and any nest are dealt with properly.
How do I know if mice have already got into my house?
Common signs include small dark droppings, gnaw marks on packaging or skirting, scratching noises at night, and a stale smell in enclosed spaces. If you notice any of these, it is worth arranging an inspection to confirm and deal with it early.