It’s that time of year! As the weather gets colder outside, little critters like mice are looking to move in to somewhere warm. This gets worse as the temperatures drop. The best way to be mouse-free is prevention! We have tips on avoiding the problem, as well as taking care of it if you already have some little visitors.
How to prevent mice from coming into your home/garage:
- Make sure all garbage and pet food are stored in metal containers or thick plastic bins that are fee from holes. Never leave either of these to sit directly on the floor in just a bag.
- Do not leave your pet’s food dishes on the floor for any long period of time (this is a free meal/snack and incentive for mice to come over often!)
- Keep your yard and areas around your home free of piles of items – untouched items of any kind kept directly on the ground in the yard (or on the garage floor) is the ideal place for mice and other creatures to make their nests, breed and live permanently (this can include wood piles)
- Invest in a plug-in pest repeller – they work! You just plug them in. Silent to humans, it makes a high-stress, uncomfortable environment for rodents and pests and prevents/reduces their visits to the area
Mice come in for the warmth and stay for the food/convenience – so the #1 rule is: Make sure there is nothing for them to eat!
You can find air-tight pet food storage containers here.
Think you may already have some mice visitors?
- You can tell if mice have recently been in the area by looking around the walls/in corner for mouse droppings. They leave them everywhere they go.
- Look for bags/boxes that have bite or scratch marks on them
- Set up some precautionary traps or glue pads against the wall/close to doors/openings and see if you catch anything
Be sure to keep front doors & garage doors that lead to your home shut and make sure they are properly sealed. Mice can get through openings as small as a dime!
If you do see holes or openings, you can fill them with metal mesh and seal them with caulking.
If you do see evidence of mice, it is important to find how they are getting in and close that opening off. Remember: mice can even climb into the bottom of your vehicle (it tends to be warm there!) – ask any vehicle tech – mouse-chewed cabin filters in vehicles are found more often than any of us want to believe.
Why is it important to keep mice away?
Rodents can cause damage to property including your vehicle, wires, walls and more. They can chew through just about anything. They also:
- Can (but don’t always) carry harmful bacteria or diseases which is left anywhere they go via urine and droppings
- Chew through wires and even gas lines
- Breed fast. 6 mice can turn into 60 in just 3 months
- Jump, climb and swim
Options for Catching/Trapping Mice:
And guys, skip the cheese. If you are baiting your mouse traps, they love peanut butter (you can even add crackers).
Getting rid of a mice problem can be as easy as preventative steps and trapping, or may require a visit from an exterminator depending on the severity of the problem, if there are nests, and if your neighbours are also taking preventative measures in their homes/garages/yards. Share tips with your neighbours (especially about the garbage/animal food) to keep the neighbourhood as mouse-free as possible.
Cleaning up after mice:
If you trap any mice, find droppings, or evidence of a nest, it is important to disinfect the area. Throw out anything they have chewed through. Do not vacuum or sweep up droppings or nesting areas. It is always best to spray it first with a disinfectant or a mixture of water & bleach to prevent bacteria from spreading in the air as you clean it up.
Remember: Fall/Winter is the time rodents will be the most active inside of homes/garages. Prevention is key and checking for signs of them regularly is important. Hoping everyone stays safe & mouse free this season!
Photo credit: ars technica