As the weather gets colder, pests like mice will find any way they can to get into your home for warmth. Not only can mice cause damage to your home, but they also spread diseases that can impact humans and pets. Here are some tips to help keep your home mice-free.
Seal Up Your Home
Mice are notorious for sneaking into homes through small cracks, holes or crevices. To prevent an infestation, walk around the exterior of your house to check for any possible points of entry. Pay close attention to your foundation, basement, doors and windows. If you can, check your roof and attic for any potential holes. If you notice any cracks or holes, seal them with caulk, steel wool or weather striping. For larger holes, seal them with wire mesh or foam.
Keep Your Yard Clean
A messy yard means more hiding places for mice. Overgrown trees and bushes allow mice to hide from predators and also gain easy access to your roof. Plant any bushes or shrubs at least three feet away from your home, as mice and other rodents love to nest in thick brush.
If you have a garden, keep everything trimmed and clean. Discard any rotten fruit and harvest any ripe fruit as soon as possible. Mice love to scour gardens for possible food sources. To keep rodents out of your garden, plant herbs like mint, or spray a natural repellent, such as fox urine, around the perimeter of your garden.
Cleanliness Inside Your Home
Other than shelter, food is the main reason why mice will get into your home. Deter them by keeping your home as clean as possible. Empty your trash and recycling bins regularly and discard any rotten or unwanted food from your kitchen. Clean your floors and cabinets regularly to keep crumbs and other debris from piling up.
If you have pets, secure their food bags to prevent mice from finding a snack, and clean their food bowls regularly. If you have a cat, they work great at deterring mice naturally. Even if your cat is not a hunter, their scent alone will keep rodents away.
Contact the Pros
Having an infestation of mice is not pleasant. Luckily, we have over 30 years of experience in pest control. Contact Germantown Pest Control today to set up an appointment, we look forward to working with you.