If you see one mouse, odds are that there is a family of them hiding close by on your property. This is why you need to take action immediately when you see any possible signs of mice. This is due to the fact that if one mouse can find a way in your home, others will definitely follow. Plus, as mice breed very quickly, it is imperative to stop them in their tracks before a full blown infestation occurs. Here are 6 quick and easy ways to get rid of mice in your home.
Look For Any Entry Points
Before you commit to any treatments, it is important to first get down to the source of where these mice are entering your home. Look for common signs of where the mice might be most active. You can usually tell if a mouse has been active in an area by looking for obvious signs such as droppings or tracks. To properly seal any gaps and to ensure entry points are properly blocked, install weather strips at the bottom of exterior doors to keep rodents out.
Related: How to Patch A Rodent Hole
Set The Right Mouse Trap
Mouse traps are an essential way to get rid of mice that have come inside your home. When placing your mouse traps, it is important to think strategically, as this will determine the effectiveness of your traps. Place traps in more vulnerable areas of your home, like along walls and behind trash cans. When choosing the appropriate traps for your home it is important to remember that there are a variety of different mouse traps to choose from, all of which have their own differences in price, function, and design.
Here are a few of the most common mouse traps to consider:
Snap Traps
This is the most cost efficient and readily available trap at your local hardware or department store. The trap uses a quick trigger system to catch mice easily. When used correctly, these mouse traps can effectively control mice quickly, making them an effective way to control entire populations of mice.
Electric Traps
These mouse traps lure mice into a chamber system before providing them with an electric shock. These mouse traps are safe for both humans and pets, as they are specifically designed to handle the target pest.
Live Catch Traps
As the name indicates these traps are meant to catch live mice. The way that these live catch traps work is by having a specific chamber or cage with a trigger-activated door, which won’t reopen until you release the captured rodent. It is absolutely necessary to check these traps regularly, in order to humanely deal with your mouse issue.
Choose The Right Bait For Your Trap
In order to increase the effectiveness of the mouse traps mentioned, a good baiting source is required. If you do not have any allergy concerns, peanut butter is by far the most common and affordable mouse bait option. If you do have possible allergies to peanuts/peanut butter then you can also use cheese, birdseed or nuts to lure mice into the trap.
Clear Out The Garage
Mice will look for any entry point into your property including your garage. This is because the warmth of your car’s engine makes living in your garage a perfect escape from the unsuitable winters in Canada.
If you see any sign of mice in your garage it must be taken care of immediately because once mice start chewing on wires in your car’s hood, it could seriously damage your car or even lead to a dangerous situation for you while on the road. To curb any possible mice invading your garage, put out a few traps to rule out any unwanted pests. If there are holes or entry points to your home through your garage, make sure that they are properly sealed and pest proofed.
If the garage is also used for storage, do not store items on the floor. It is important to also keep your shelves well organized to prevent nesting and harbourage. If garbage bins are kept in the garage, ensure that the lids are always on securely and that the garbage bins are not overflowing.
Maintain Proper Sanitation
As mice have the unique ability to survive on a limited amount of food per day, leaving stray food or crumbs around your home can provide an attractive option for mice. Vacuum your floors and wipe down any surfaces ensuring that you are eliminating residue, any evidence of food and crumbs in both the kitchen and pantry areas. If you have pets, ensure that their feeding area is cleaned promptly after use, as this is one of the main food sources that may attract mice.
Call A Professional
Depending upon how large the issue is, it may be necessary to reach out to a professional rodent control service. If you get to the point of needing a professional, search online for professional rodent control services with a focus on accredited companies that have the right credentials. This can be important regardless of whether you’re looking for someone who can effectively get the job done or offer up a more humane live catch approach.
Our team of certified local technicians have the knowledge and experience to professionally control your mouse problem the first time. Contact your local Orkin Canada branch today!
Reviewed by Alice Sinia, Ph.D., MSc on February 26th 2021.
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