Keep Mice Out of Your Home

Written by webadmin on September 18, 2014. Posted in Permatreat Blog.

Are mice keeping you up all night? Granted you won’t see the scenario as described in the picture to your right. It’s probably more common to see mouse droppings or mouse damage before you see the mice themselves, as they are nocturnal. Still while small, mice and rats can cause big problems. They chew on everything, causing property damage and potential fire risks when they gnaw on electrical wiring and build tinder dry nests in dark corners. They can spread disease, on their own, through the parasites they carry or through their droppings.

Listed below are several ways to KEEP MICE OUT of your home.

Stop Rodents From Entering your Home

Close all holes in exterior and interior walls.
Permit no openings over 1/4 of an inch, particularly around doors and windows Install self-closing devices on frequently used doors.
Install vinyl or runner sweep seals under garage doors to eliminate any gaps.
Tighten seals around pipes, drains and vents.
Cap chimneys and make sure they’re in good condition.

Habitat Reduction

Eliminate the rodent’s food and water source.
Identify habitat areas and eliminate them indoors and outdoors.
Keep grass and vegetation cut short. Tall grass protects rodents from predators.
Cut back overhanging trees. Overhanging trees provide dark, shadowy areas where rodents feel safe and protected.
Remove piles of debris from the exterior of the structure. Garbage and clutter around the perimeter are habitat areas for rodents.
Establish a 2-foot-wide barrier of cement or crushed rock around the structure.
Improve sanitation practices in and around the house.
English ivy is a favorite hiding place for pests, so you may need to replace it. Trim your shrubs and bushes away from the ground, so nothing can hide under them. Store firewood at least 1 foot off the ground.
Install a strip of flashing 18 inches high all around your house to keep mice and rats from getting in through the attic or upper floors.
Combine water and peppermint extract and spray in problem areas. Mice detest mint, so start using it everywhere! Planting mint outside, and switching to mint scented cleaning solutions can drastically help keep them away.

These are just a few ideas to keep annoying mice from entering your home. When all else fails call a pest control professional. A mouse infestation is a serious problem for you and your family and you can’t expect the problem to just go away over night.

If you live in Virginia and would like a free inspection or estimate Contact PermaTreat.

Click Here to learn more about rodents.