One thing no one wants during the holiday season is uninvited guests. It’s bad enough when Uncle Ralph parks his behind on your couch from Christmas through New Year’s. You don’t want mice to make an appearance as well. Mice are not only a nuisance, but they are also a health hazard. Mice carry diseases, and they can ruin food storage, as well as bedding and insulation.
How To Keep Mice Out of Your House
Here are some suggestions.
Start with Some Scents
What smells do mice hate? To answer this question, the first thing you must do is eliminate entry points. One way you can do this is to make them unappealing. And, you can do this by covering the area with a scent that mice don’t like.
So, what scents will keep mice away? A lot of people swear by peppermint oil. You can apply it to the points of entry of your house. You might also want to try pepper, cayenne pepper, and cloves to discourage mice from coming in.
Do mothballs keep mice away? This is an old superstition. Although mothballs do keep mice away, you would have to use a large quantity for them to work. The amount you need to use would also most likely be large enough to drive you from the house.
Seal Off Entry Points
Mice are always looking for an entryway into your house. That way, they can be warm, dry, fed, and have a place to make a nest. If you mouse-proof your home, you are making it very difficult for them to get in. You can seal cracks along your foundation, as well as cracks where pipes come into your house. Caulk your windows and doors. Weatherstrip your doors and windows. You will also save money if you do this. If you seal off your home, mice will look for an easier target to move into.
Are You Sanitary?
Mice don’t need much to live on. They can survive on very little food and water every day. That means if you leave food out, even crumbs, you are attracting mice. Make sure you store your food in glass containers or ones that are airtight. You should wipe your kitchen counters off each night, so the random little crumb doesn’t tempt a mouse. Make sure that you also keep your house clean. It doesn’t have to be pristine, but it should be neat.
You also need to take care of the area around your house. Make sure that your lawn is neat and weed-free. You could also lay rock around your foundation to discourage nesting and burrowing. If there’s a lot of clutter or debris lying around, it’s easier for mice to find a place to hide.
Like Cats?
People don’t want mice in their homes, but they also don’t want to set traps. Many people see mouse traps as inhumane. If you don’t want to have to deal with mousetraps, you might want to think about getting a cat. Cats are a great way to control the mouse population and keep mice out of your house. Farmers have been using cats for centuries as a way to keep mice out of their barns and feed. If you love cats, why not bring one or two into your home to help with the mice? They’re cute, cuddly, and an effective weapon in the war on mice.
If you are having a problem with mice, we can help to keep mice out of your house! Contact NJ Pest Control, in Randolph, N.J., and let us talk to you about your mouse problem. We can develop a plan to help you be free of mice in no time.
We serve the counties of Morris, Bergen, Passaic, Union, Essex, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon and Somerset. Give us a call to see if we serve your town within the counties listed. Let’s help to keep mice out of your house.
