Mice are a nuisance that many homeowners have to deal with. They creep into the house as the temperature cools and then multiply rapidly which causes a massive issue. While they may be cute, mice are carriers of disease, and they dirty the home with feces. Preventing an infestation is much better than having to deal with one later.
The following article will tell you where these mice come from and what you can do to keep them out of your home.
Where do mice come from?
Mice can be found all over the world. Scientists have identified over 1,000 species in the world. Each one of these species come with their own set of behaviors. Though many depend largely on humans for their survival, mice can live on their own in the wild. The most common species, the house mouse, can be found nestled in shrubs, undergrowth, rock piles, and other hiding spots such as within pipes and walls.
Mice mostly make their way into our homes when they are looking for a safe space with food and warmth. To them, homes are ideal breeding spots because they have an abundance of food and are warm. Additionally, they are also safe and safe from most predators that are plenty in the wild. Invasions are especially common in the fall when it starts to get cold out.
Like us, mice would rather be indoors throughout the winter months.
While it may seem like our houses are built to avoid mice from entering, the truth is that they squeeze their way through tiny spaces on the sides of our house. They can be as small as the gaps underneath doors. Once inside, they nest between the walls or in other quiet, enclosed areas.
Mice reproduce quickly, so while it may seem like they come and go, they may have never left. Getting rid of mice permanently is a lot of hard work. Let’s look at some ways that you can employ to get rid of these pests.
How do you get rid of them?
The most effective way to get rid of mice is to get the help of an exterminator. Exterminators are trained to recognize the signs of an infestation. They are built to identify where the mice are coming from and where they are going. Given their training, they have access to highly effective rodenticides. These rodenticides help eliminate mice faster than any other method. They can also block out every potential entry point to stop mice from coming back. If you have been dealing with a mouse problem, reach out to Mouse Control Vaughan or another professional near you.
How to Keep Mice Out
If you want to prevent an infestation this fall, follow the steps listed below.
Seal entry points
One of the best ways to prevent an infestation is to block all entry points. One of the ways that you can do this is by sealing any gaps you find on the perimeter of the house. Seal any cracks you find in the foundation with epoxy or mortar.
Check your bay windows and window frames for cracks in their sides. If there are any cracks big enough for mice, seal them with caulking. Make sure your bug screens are intact because sometimes, mice can crawl their way in from there as well. You should also examine the siding on the walls for cracks. Mice are excellent climbers.
Mice can also get into the house by crawling through weep vents and wall vents.
Weep vents can be blocked off by inserting little steel covers inside them. You can find these at the hardware store.
Wall vents can be protected by screwing a mesh on top of them. Use a quarter-inch mesh that is 16-gauge or thicker so that rodents cannot chew through.
Finally, close the gaps on the bottoms of your doors with floor sweeps or weatherstripping. If you can fit a ballpoint pen under the door, a mouse can crawl through. That’s the best way to check any crack or hole to figure out whether or not you’re unintentionally inviting mice in.
Keep the kitchen and pantry clean
The cleaner your kitchen is, the less likely you are to get pests. Mice and other pests can smell food in your kitchen and will come feed on the crumbs. However, if your kitchen is clean, there is less chance of crumbs being strewn across surfaces and hence, less food for the mice. Cleanliness is an excellent deterrent.
Get in the habit of cleaning up the kitchen before the end of each day. Use sealed containers for the food in your pantry, do the dishes every night, and always take out the garbage at the end of the day. Additionally, sweep the floors and wipe the counters clean every night before bed.
Should you get mice this fall, having a clean kitchen will make it easier to handle the problem. The mice will have very little to eat, so they will feed on the rodenticides your exterminator put out.
Tidy up the yard
Because mice come from the outside, keeping the yard tidy is a good idea. Get rid of as many hiding spots as possible and limit the amount of food available.
Trim back your vines, hedges, shrubs, and trees before the end of the season. Rake the leaves and bag them up so that mice have nowhere to hide. If you have apple trees or other falling fruit in the yard, pick up after them. Get rid of the bird feeder or switch to a suet feeder that can be hung far away from the house. Mow the lawn and pull weeds on a regular basis.
All these steps will help ensure that mice stay clear of your house.
FAQ: How to Prepare for Mice this Fall
1. Is it normal to get mice in the fall?
Yes, it is quite normal to get mice in the fall. This happens because mice are looking for a space to settle in and get comfortable. Additionally, homes are often warm and have a lot of crumbs here and there. Such conditions are ideal for mice as they get warmth and food. They are also safe from a host of predators.
2. What do mice eat?
Mice usually consume whatever they can find. In that aspect, they are not picky, However, they mostly gravitate towards cereal grains and seeds. This is not to say that they are not willing to try other things. It would be wise for you to avoid leaving out any kind of food as it might attract mice.
Conclusion
Mice are a massive issue in any household, but it is not something that cannot be fixed or avoided. It is often said that it is better to prevent a problem than to fix it. Hence, taking precautionary measures against mice is the best way to avoid paying people an exorbitant amount of money to kill off a mice infestation. This article lists all the ways that you can prepare for an onslaught of mice that will be looking for a place to survive the winter. Stay safe.