Keeping Mice Out of the House

The first step is to stop mice from getting into your home. Mice can get through surprisingly small openings. In fact, a hole as small as 5 millimetres across is large enough to grant a mouse access. This is because it is large enough for them to get their jaws into. Once they can get that far, they make quick work of gnawing the opening until it is large enough for them to squeeze their body through.

Check for any areas where they might be able to get inside, like under doors or through gaps where old pipes used to be. Install weather stripping around your windows and doors to eliminate any gaps, especially if your home is older, as the frames may have warped over time. Use caulk to seal the areas around your piping, and cover any old pipe holes with metal siding. Wire mesh will also do the trick, so long as it is tightly woven and made from a durable material.

Keeping a Clean Home

Mice are known to hang out in areas with a lot of clutter because they offer lots of nooks and crannies where the mice can hide. Aim to keep your home free of clutter so that there are as few options as possible for the mice to make their homes. They like to use paper materials, like old newspapers or paper towels to build their nests, so don’t keep these types of items lying around your house.

In addition to somewhere to nest, mice also need a food source. They will eat pretty much anything they can find, so don’t leave food or dirty dishes out after you have finished eating. For food that you store in your pantry, use storage containers made of plastic or metal, rather than the food’s original cardboard box. Keep food packages off the floor as well to make them more difficult for mice to access.

When cleaning, don’t forget the areas under your refrigerator and stove and in the backs of cabinets, as these are common areas for crumbs to accumulate. Sweep and dust throughout your house regularly so that mice don’t find dust balls and clumps of hair to use in making their nests.

Other Mouse Deterrents

Having house pets can also help to prevent mice from taking up residence in your home, whether they catch mice or not. Often, just the smell of a cat or dog in the house can be enough to make mice think twice about moving in. Mice don’t like the smell of mint either, so sprinkle some mint oil around your house or plant mint in your garden.

For Help with Mice Infestations

If you have tried the above methods to no avail, it is possible that the infestation is already too severe for simple measures to be effective. If this is the case, or if you would prefer not to have to deal with the problem yourself, call Dependable Pest Control right away. We work with residential and commercial clients throughout Sydney and the Sutherland Shire and can deal with your mouse problem quickly and efficiently.

We’ll be happy to come out to your home or business for a free pest inspection, after which we’ll be able to give you a better sense of what it will take to get rid of your mice infestation. We are experts at what we do, so you can rest assured that your home is in good hands when you work with us.

Our service technicians will address the issue, as well as the root causes that led to the problem in the first place. We’ll offer advice and guidance to help you prevent mice from infesting your home again in the future. Reach out to us today for more information about our pest control services and to schedule your first appointment. Your house will be mouse-free in no time!

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