Mice can seem like very inoffensive creatures, or on the other hand you may be terrified of them; neither of these is a good reason to ignore a potential mouse problem in your home. Mice can be very destructive and will eat through surfaces and wires in your home, potentially causing extensive damage. Another problem that mice can cause is that their excrement can contain bacteria such as salmonella.
There are methods you can employ to try and prevent mice from entering your home, and ways for you to attempt to get rid of them if they do get in. You can also employ the help of experts such as Fox Pest Control who can assist in ridding your home of mice.
What methods can you use to deter mice from entering your home?
One of the best ways to make your home unfriendly to mice is to make sure it is clean. Food should be stored in containers with air tight lids and all surfaces should be kept clean. If mice don’t have a food source they are not going to want to make their home in your property.
You also need to ensure that you restrict entry to your home by sealing any gaps through which mice can enter; don’t forget mice can squeeze through very tiny holes.
Peppermint is an excellent deterrent for mice as they cannot bear the strong odour. You can use peppermint oil around you home, or simply grow peppermint.
How can you get rid of mice?
Once you have mice in your home you will need to get rid of them as quickly as possible; generally the two most effective ways of doing this are with bait or with traps. There are of course potential issues involved in using either of these solutions. Different traps are available, from traditional mouse traps to baited traps and humane ones. The problem is that many people are terrified of mice and if this you, then you probably don’t want to come into close proximity with one in a trap, alive or dead. There are also dangers involved with using bait if you are unsure of how to handle it correctly. Some baits can be toxic to humans or pets.
Why hiring a professional can be a good idea
If you want to solve the mouse problem in your home it can often be wise to hire a professional exterminator; that way you don’t have to face doing any of the trapping or baiting yourself. The pest control expert will speak to you about your problem and examine your home for potential entry points and for evidence of where the mice are living, such as urine, feces and damage caused. They will draw up a plan to rid your home of mice, and to protect it against any further infestation. You will be safe in the knowledge that your home is a mouse free zone.