Health is the most important thing to human and having large number of mice in a house can cause health problems. Mice make the house floors dirty with stools and urine. They ruin the house by gnawing on the walls, wires, clothes etc.
Signs of a Mice Infestation
Gnaw Marks
Mice can chew almost every kinds of objects in the house as they have strong teeth.
Droppings/Filth
Tiny, dark rice grains are dropped by mouse every where in the house. Make sure if you have mice by checking their size. Mouse droppings are around a 4 inches long.
Nests
Mice build nests using soft items. Like paper, insulation, or cloth from your house. Check for messed-up insulation, torn paper, or other soft bits. These can show a nest area.
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Strategies to Get Rid of Mice
There are many ways to get rid of these pests. These include natural ways, setting traps, and blocking entry points which are described below.
1. Natural Methods
Using natural methods to keep off mice is safer. It’s more so if you have kids or pets. These methods focus on using stuff or animals that keep mice out.
Adopting a cat
Cats are natural hunters of mice. And they can keep your home free of these pests. It’s a long-term remedy against mouse invasion. If not, you can still deter mice. Just spread used cat litter where mice frequent. Keep in mind, keep the cat litter out of reach of kids and pregnant women.
Using essential oils
Some homeowners find essential oils work. Like peppermint or clove oil. They’re natural deterrents. Soak cotton balls in these oils. Then place them in areas like drawers, cupboards, and house entrances. It is proposed to help to keep off mice.
2. Setting Traps
Traps often work best to get rid of mice fast. There are different kinds of mouse traps. Each has its own pros and cons. Setting traps in the right places with the right bait is essential.
Types of Mouse Traps
Snap traps
Many people use snap traps to catch mice. They’re money-saving. And they kill fast if you put them in the right places. For instance, bar, clam, and hidden kill traps.
Humane traps
Humane traps are designed to catch mice without harm. They need checking often. It’s to make sure that caught mice are released as soon as possible. Place humane traps where mice are. Use things like peanut butter, cheese, or buttered popcorn as bait. Let out caught mice at least a mile away from your house.
Glue traps
Glue traps use sticky bits to catch mice. Those mice can’t escape. They can be effective. Yet, they’re not liked due to their harsh nature. The trapped mice often suffer long distress or die slowly.
Handling Severe Infestations
In certain cases, a mouse infestation may become serious. This may need more strong measures to control. Working with a professional exterminator can make sure you deal with the issue right and safely.
1. Recognizing a Severe Infestation
A serious mouse problem may show these signs:
- More activity: Seeing more mice or hearing louder and more ongoing sounds from walls or ceilings.
- Many entry points: Finding many gaps, cracks, or holes in the outer parts of the house that can let mice in.
2. Collaborating with Professional Exterminators
There are several reasons for asking a professional exterminator to help with serious problems:
- Expertise: Exterminators have the know-how and skills to handle a mouse problem well and fast.
- Advanced methods: Professionals use advanced methods.
3. Reasons to Hire a Professional
- Faster option: Professional exterminators can often solve a problem quicker than a house owner with not much experience.
- Safe and sound methods: Professionals have a range of advanced methods. And they can make sure the problem is dealt with safely.
4. Techniques employed by professionals
Professional exterminators may use different techniques to manage serious mouse problems, such as:
- Bait stations: They set-up bait stations that provide a controlled and targeted approach to handling a large issue.
- Exclusion methods: A professional exterminator can identify and close all entry points. It can stop mice from coming back to your home.
Keep the House Clean
A clean, organized home can keep mice from nesting and searching for food. Do these habits to maintain a place without mice:
- Declutter: Remove extra items and scraps that could give hiding spots for mice.
- Store food right: Keep dry food, including pet food, in sealed boxes to stop mice from getting in.
Checking Your Home Regularly For Signs of Mice
Make sure to check your house often for any signs of mouse activity. Mouse are more active during looking for indoor shelter. You can search for mouse nests, gnaw marks, and droppings in hard-to-reach areas.
Conclusion
It is tough to manage or to get rid of mouse but using proper methods, you can control their size in the house. You can reduce their size by using natural ways, setting traps, and keeping them from coming in the house. It is important to stay alert and clean the living space.
