Did you know that rodents are the most common winter pest in the UK? As the temperature drops and food supplies become scarce, they’re naturally drawn to our homes which are warm and have an abundance of food to choose from.
It’s unlikely that you even want to entertain the idea of sharing your property with a mouse so below we’ve listed our top five mouse prevention tips.
Keep your house clean
It’s a myth that only dirty, unhygienic homes and businesses fall victim to rodent infestations. Anyone can suffer at any time, even if you clean all day, every day. It is true however that poor sanitation is more likely to attract mice so it’s a good idea to keep your home as clean as possible.
Wipe down surfaces on a regular basis, hoover or mop at least once a week, clean up spillages immediately, don’t leave pet food out, ensure any rubbish bins are sealed tightly and don’t neglect food cupboards because they’re often full of debris that mice can eat.
Mouse-proof your house
Mice can squeeze through even the smallest of gaps and this is typically how they will make their way into a property. If you make it impossible for them to get in, this is one of the best ways to protect yourself from infestations.
- Seal any openings which are larger than ¼ inch. Steel wool mixed with caulking compound is ideal but make sure that whatever you’ve used is smooth on the surface to prevent mice from pulling out or chewing through the material
- Check there are no cracks or openings in pipes or vents because these are both common ways for rodents to make their way into homes
- Ensure that door and window frames fit tightly. Seal any gaps if necessary
Remove water sources
Removing any potential food sources is obvious but mice also need water for survival so they’re going to be drawn to this as well.
Eliminate all obvious sources of water around the outside of your property such as pet bowls and bird baths. Also inspect your property for other potential sources of moisture including leaking pipes and clogged drains.
Keep the outside of your property clean
It’s also important to keep the outside of your property clean. Even if it’s something in your garden attracting rodents, you can guarantee that before long they’ll make their way inside.
- Try not to feed pets outside. If you have to, remove the bowl and clean up any mess as soon as they’ve finished eating
- If you know you’re prone to rodent infestations, avoid having a bird bath or feeder in your garden because these food sources will attract mice as well
- Store rubbish in bins which are secure and have a tightly-fitted lid
- Don’t let piles of leaves accumulate in the garden or in gutters because they make ideal nesting materials for mice
- Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house
- Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed and cut back from your property
Call a professional pest controller
A professional pest controller can do more than eliminate an infestation once it has occurred. They can also carry out risk assessments and put prevention techniques in place to stop one from occurring in the first place.
To find out more, head over to our mice pest control service page. Alternatively, you can get in touch to book your free, no obligation pest audit
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