I was just looking up online to see what to do to keep mice out of our things packed up outside in the sheds. I posted first about how I would prefer to control the possible problem, I know my mother-in-law, Lorraine, uses dryer sheets, so we will do that, but what else can be done to keep them out of the house too. I have to admit that I don't think we have had mice the past few years, but my hubby raised an eyebrow at that, so now I'm wondering if he took care of it without telling me. Probably a good idea on his part. So now this seems like a much more urgent search of wisdom! I am starting with Popular Mechanics... tomorrow I hope to have more natural remedies to post. Here we go!
As the temperature outside drops, we cozy up inside our nice, warm houses. Unfortunately, so do insects and rodents. Whether the invaders are as small as an ant or as big as a family of skunks, your best defense against pests is sealing off their entry points into your fortress. Here’s what to do:
Evaluate the Exterior
A mouse can sneak in through a hole no bigger than a dime, while a raccoon-size creature can enter through a 6-inch opening. When examining your home’s exterior walls, experts say to look for light coming through cracks. Also, feel for air movement, which can sometimes point you to a crack you can’t see. Your house should be sealed against the elements anyway. Plus, this will take care of insect problems. If your house is not sealed, you’re wasting energy, not just letting critters in.
Focus on Windows and Doors
These are the most likely entry points for pests. If you plan on ever leaving your windows or doors open, you should fit them with screens, or check the existing screens for tears. Seal any cracks around windows and door frames with inexpensive caulk or foam. Weatherstripping and door sweeps can seal the moving parts of the door, so make sure it’s in good condition.
Put Screens on Vents
Not every hole should be plugged up. Some are there for a reason, such as the air vents in the kitchen or under the cupboards. If holes are meant to be there, they’ll be pretty obvious. They’ll be spaced periodically, maybe every foot or two. Place screens over them to keep critters out.
Double-Check Repairs
Often, holes made during installations or repairs don’t get sealed up. Dishwasher and washing machine installations are frequent offenders, so it’s worth it to pull yours out and check for unsealed spots. Anytime you have plumbing or electrical work done, double-check the job to make sure you aren’t left with holes through which pests can enter.
Control Your Garden - Keep Clutter Down
Control Your Garden - Keep Clutter Down
Plants close to the house provide a haven for insects and rodents as they await their chance to dart through an open door. Keep plants 1 to 2 feet away from the house, weeds trimmed to a minimum, and don’t let junk collect near the house.
What if they are already here?
Pests are relentless, and despite your best efforts, unwanted critters may sneak into your house and set up camp. Here’s what to do if you have an infestation on your hands:
Identify the Intruder
You can’t fight if you don’t know what you’re dealing with. If you’ve caught sight of the pest, a quick Internet search should help you ID it. But sometimes you can see only signs of infestation: a chewed baseboard or a few droppings, for example. If this is the case (or even if you’ve spotted the invader but can’t tell what it is), some pest-control companies allow you to send in photos for professional identification.
Plan a Course of Action
Many pests can be treated with over-the-counter products you can buy yourself. But make sure you know what you’re doing before you start spraying. The wrong product can be a waste of money, or worse—instead of getting rid of pests, it could drive them into the walls, where they’ll wait only to re-enter your house weeks or months later. Pest killers are sort of like prescription medicine, you need to get the proper diagnosis before you start using them.
Know When to Leave It to a Pro
You can’t beat all invading pests, and it’s smart to recognize when to put down the pesticide and pick up the phone. Large, potentially dangerous animals like raccoons should always be handled by a professional (make sure your pest company is licensed in wild animal control). Bedbugs are another one best left to the pros. Most over-the-counter pesticides with "bedbug" on the label don’t kill them effectively. If you’re sick, elderly, or have kids or pets, then you might not want to tackle a rodent problem on your own, because they carry disease. And if you’re dealing with wood-eating insects like termites or carpenter ants, call a pro immediately. They have insurance that can protect you even if your house sustains severe damage.
Read more from Popular Mechanics
Traps
If you find a mouse, then it is time to search how it could have gotten into the house. Don't use traps if possible. Come back tomorrow to read what else you can do that could keep mice away for about 5 years! And it is something that will not hurt you, the environment, pets or even the mice!
Glue traps are especially cruel. The animal's paws become stuck to the surface of the trap and can't be unstuck. This will invariably result in a slow and gruesome death. Glue traps are one of the cruelest methods of killing animals used today. Mice have been known to gnaw off their paw or paws to escape. And if a family pet rodent or pet bird gets caught, it is horrible. Glue traps hurt animals. Please do not use them!
So if you are trapping critters other or including mice, use a live trap. Once the animal is caught, just call a professional to take care of it, or take it to the woods to release it yourself. You do not want to release it outside your home or in a neighbors yard. It will come right back inside!
The snap style traps kill the mice, but are at least humane. This will also spare you from having to kill the mouse yourself. So if you choose to use traps at all, this snap style (or a live trap) is what to use. Put peanut butter, butter, cheese or nutmeat on the trap, set the hinge spring and slide under the cooking range in the kitchen or elsewhere - where no pet can get in - and check it daily. They tend to travel close to walls and other objects. Thus, traps should be set close to walls where mouse activity is seen. One trap will do the job, but you’ll double your chances by using two
traps together. A mouse can jump over one trap, but not two.
You can bet if you have seen one mouse, there are a lot more hidden in the walls/roof space. You have 3 choices,
Many pests can be treated with over-the-counter products you can buy yourself. But make sure you know what you’re doing before you start spraying. The wrong product can be a waste of money, or worse—instead of getting rid of pests, it could drive them into the walls, where they’ll wait only to re-enter your house weeks or months later. Pest killers are sort of like prescription medicine, you need to get the proper diagnosis before you start using them.
Know When to Leave It to a Pro
You can’t beat all invading pests, and it’s smart to recognize when to put down the pesticide and pick up the phone. Large, potentially dangerous animals like raccoons should always be handled by a professional (make sure your pest company is licensed in wild animal control). Bedbugs are another one best left to the pros. Most over-the-counter pesticides with "bedbug" on the label don’t kill them effectively. If you’re sick, elderly, or have kids or pets, then you might not want to tackle a rodent problem on your own, because they carry disease. And if you’re dealing with wood-eating insects like termites or carpenter ants, call a pro immediately. They have insurance that can protect you even if your house sustains severe damage.
Read more from Popular Mechanics
Traps
If you find a mouse, then it is time to search how it could have gotten into the house. Don't use traps if possible. Come back tomorrow to read what else you can do that could keep mice away for about 5 years! And it is something that will not hurt you, the environment, pets or even the mice!
Glue traps are especially cruel. The animal's paws become stuck to the surface of the trap and can't be unstuck. This will invariably result in a slow and gruesome death. Glue traps are one of the cruelest methods of killing animals used today. Mice have been known to gnaw off their paw or paws to escape. And if a family pet rodent or pet bird gets caught, it is horrible. Glue traps hurt animals. Please do not use them!So if you are trapping critters other or including mice, use a live trap. Once the animal is caught, just call a professional to take care of it, or take it to the woods to release it yourself. You do not want to release it outside your home or in a neighbors yard. It will come right back inside!
The snap style traps kill the mice, but are at least humane. This will also spare you from having to kill the mouse yourself. So if you choose to use traps at all, this snap style (or a live trap) is what to use. Put peanut butter, butter, cheese or nutmeat on the trap, set the hinge spring and slide under the cooking range in the kitchen or elsewhere - where no pet can get in - and check it daily. They tend to travel close to walls and other objects. Thus, traps should be set close to walls where mouse activity is seen. One trap will do the job, but you’ll double your chances by using two
traps together. A mouse can jump over one trap, but not two.You can bet if you have seen one mouse, there are a lot more hidden in the walls/roof space. You have 3 choices,
- First, a deterrent, like the peppermint oil spray.
- Second, trap and kill, any sort of device that snaps down and kills the mouse. What I use to find worrying about mice is the fact that they "scuttle" about so fast. Once they are in the trap, i.e. dead, you will find they are not as alarming. Then you can move them outside with thick gloves and drop the bodies out somewhere away from any house or wrap them well and put in the garbage can. The more you do it the less scary it will be.
- Third is the humane trap mentioned above. The mice are still pretty scary running around in one of those, but you may be able to prevail on a neighbor to empty the trap for you.
Warnings
- Some mice are capable of recognizing and avoiding conventional mousetraps
- Mice are often infested with fleas, ticks, and/or mites. If an infested mouse is killed via trap or poison, its parasites will eventually leave the body in search of a new host. This may be of particular concern to pet owners or those with small children.
- When laying mouse traps, be sure that pet rodents and any other small pets (eg. frogs or lizards) are in their cages. Better yet, have them stay at a friend's house until the furry invaders are removed.
- Mice can be resistant to anti-coagulant poisons (eg. warfarin) or arsenic. These poisons are DEADLY to pets and children. Please use another method.
- Mouse droppings can be hazardous to your health. Spray any droppings with bleach or other disinfectants (eg. rubbing alcohol) before cleaning them up and don't let them touch your skin or clothing.
- An animal that eats a poisoned rodent can also become sick or die from poisoning. Another reason NOT to use poisons.
- Mouse and rat poison can be toxic / deadly to humans and other animals.
- The same can be said for a dead mouse. Do not handle the animal with bare hands.
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My
personal suggestions and opinions are usually in this green italic type
- so in this way you will know when it is me or the person from whom I
am inquiring information. I usually give you the overall idea of any given post I find, because I base it on my own understanding. Plus I want to give credit where credit is due by sending you to the original authors posting for any extra info. It's only fair.
I hope this information has been of some help to you. As always, if you would like to add a thought, question, give suggestions for another topic, or make a general suggestion, please post a comment below. Also, please follow / subscribe to this blog. Thank you!
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