As the weather cools, mice and rats often look for warm places to nest, and your home might be an inviting option. Here are 7 smart ways to keep them out:
- Seal Entry Points:
Inspect your home for gaps: Mice can fit through holes as small as a dime. Check around windows, doors, vents, and pipes for cracks or gaps.
Use steel wool and caulk: For small holes, fill them with steel wool (which mice can’t chew through) and seal with caulk or a more permanent material like concrete.
- Keep Food Secure:
Store food in airtight containers: Mice are attracted to food, so keep pantry items like grains, cereals, and pet food in sealed, mouse-proof containers.
Clean up crumbs: Make sure to sweep and wipe down counters and floors regularly. Don’t leave food out overnight.
- Remove Clutter:
Declutter your home: Mice love hiding in cluttered areas. Keep storage spaces tidy, and store boxes off the floor to reduce hiding spots.
Trim back plants: If you have outdoor plants or shrubs near the house, trim them back to reduce pathways for rodents to enter.
- Use Natural Deterrents:
Peppermint oil: Mice dislike the strong smell of peppermint. Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them in areas where mice are likely to enter or where you’ve seen signs of activity.
Other scents: Mice also dislike other strong-smelling substances like cloves, cayenne pepper, or eucalyptus. Place these around potential entry points or in corners where mice may hide.
- Set Traps Strategically:
Use snap traps or humane traps: Place them near walls or along paths where you’ve noticed signs of rodent activity. You can bait the traps with peanut butter, oats, or cheese.
Avoid using poison: Poison can be dangerous to pets and children and may cause mice to die in inaccessible places, creating unpleasant odors.
6.Keep Your Yard Clean:
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