Mice breed all throughout the year and a single pair can produce as many as 2,000 offspring a year. As you can imagine, if you have any mice sharing your home or office with you, their numbers can multiply very quickly.
What are the signs of a mouse infestation?
Although mice are occasionally seen during the day, they’re most active at night and tend to stay in the most undisturbed areas of a building. So, just how do we get rid of mice, with the chances of seeing one minimal, it’s a good idea to be aware of the signs of a mouse infestation.
- Droppings
- Gnaw marks on furniture
- Grease tracks on skirting boards and furniture
- A damp, musky odour
- Nests (made from fine shredded fibres such as paper)
- Electrical cables, food items or packaging has been chewed
How do I get rid of mice?
Our simple tips below are great for preventing and eliminating a mouse infestation.
Get a cat
People often joke about this but if you’re prone to mice infestations, it really may be worthwhile getting yourself a furry friend. Cats are excellent hunters with a great sense of smell so will be able to sniff out any unwanted visitors in no time. It’s also unlikely that any rodent will want to set up home so close to a predator in the first place.
Remove any food sources
Mice are far more likely to come inside during the winter months because food supplies have dried up and they need a nice warm shelter. When looking for somewhere to build a nest, their main priority is naturally going to be easy access to food. If you eliminate any potential food sources however, it’s unlikely they’ll stick around for long.
- Wipe up any crumbs or spills immediately
- Hoover regularly
- Don’t store cardboard boxes on the ground (keep them high up so it’s more difficult for mice to get to)
- Clean up pet bowls as soon as they’ve finished eating
- Don’t leave dirty dishes out
- Store open food items in a tightly sealed container
- Make sure all rubbish (both inside and out) are kept in bins with a secure lid
Seal any entry points
The best way to stop mice gaining access to your property in the first place is to make it impossible for them to get in. Any holes or gaps in the building which are bigger than 1cm is enough for a mouse to squeeze through so it’s well worth taking the time to do a thorough check.
Seal any cracks in the foundations as well as any openings in walls, including where utility pipes and vents are. Also consider any pipes which lead outside, air conditioning units, the roof and windows and doors. Where sealing isn’t appropriate, exterior holes can be covered with wire mesh which will stop mice getting in.
Steel wool and caulking work best for this job while plastic, rubber and wood can easily be chewed through. Another great idea is to fit a bristle or brush to the bottom of doors. Not only will this prevent entry, it will also help keep your home nice and warm in winter.
If you have a mouse infestation, please get in touch with Prokill as soon as you can. We can provide you with a free, no obligation pest control audit which will help to determine the severity of the problem. We will also advise on the best way to remove the problem safely and effectively as well as show you how to prevent future outbreaks. Please do call us on 0800 328 9354 with any questions or queries you may have.
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