The next step would be helpful, but by following these strategies, you can at least establish a strong perimeter to safeguard your home.

A mouse is a creature no one wants in their home. However, keeping them out can be a real challenge, especially during colder months when your house is much warmer than any nest they could create in the wild.

It's so important to keep those pesky mice at bay! Not only can they bring diseases, but they can also chew through and damage parts of your home. And they multiply so quickly, they can turn your home into a mouse paradise in no time at all! But don't worry, there are lots of ways you can make your home much less hospitable to mice in the first place – and if they do get in, there are also lots of ways you can deal with them.

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Seal Those Cracks and Gaps to Keep Your Home Safe!

It is essential to ensure that there are no potential entry points for mice into your property. It is worth noting that this can be a challenging task, given the small size and determination of these pests, which can fit into openings as small as a quarter inch. As a general rule, if a pencil can fit through a crack, hole or opening, it is possible for a mouse to do so. While the mice may not be able to fit through a pencil hole, their nose and mouth can quickly widen the opening for passage by gnawing it out further.

Mr. Matts suggests using steel wool to pack any openings, then covering it with a flexible elastomeric sealant or caulking. It is advisable to avoid using plastic, rubber, wood or any other material that can be easily gnawed through as a sealant by mice. This also applies to spray foams. It is inadvisable to use foam as it can be chewed through and even used as a building material by mice.

It is also important to consider the gaps around doors and windows, where weather stripping is essential. It is advisable to use brush guards and gnaw-proof sweeps, and to ensure that the door is well sealed against the threshold when closed. Weather stripping, such as brush guards or gnaw-proof sweeps, should be used to seal door gaps and window gaps. It is also important to ensure that the sweep on the door creates a seal against the threshold when it is closed.

Keep the Area around Your House Clear and Make it Look Great!

You may wish to consider making your house your castle – and putting a moat around it. It may be helpful to leave at least a foot of blank space between your home exterior and any plantings. This could make it more challenging for mice to access your house. It might be helpful to consider some natural, non-toxic pest solutions to protect your yard and garden. The bare space could make them more vulnerable to predators, so they may be less likely to venture out.

Apply a Mouse Repellent with an Aroma to the Relevant Area

Strong scents can be an effective method for repelling mice. The use of fragrant spices and herbs can effectively disrupt a mouse's sense of smell, which is a crucial aspect of their survival. By masking the scent of food or danger, these natural deterrents can disrupt their ability to locate essential resources. If the environment is overwhelming, the mice will be unable to assess the level of risk and will simply avoid the area. Fortunately, many of the most effective mouse repellents are also pleasing to the human senses, particularly at this time of year. Peppermint, orange, and cloves are all excellent options.

It is recommended that the mouse repellent product be sprayed a couple of times just before the ground freezes, in order to encourage the mice to find a different place to live.

TIP

You might also consider using a mouse-repellent spray indoors, along exterior walls, as an additional barrier. Just check the label and use as directed.

You Might Like to Consider Putting down Some Blood Meal

We recommend considering the use of blood meal as a pest control solution. Despite its unappealing name, blood meal is an extremely effective barrier against mice and other prey animals when applied around the exterior of your home. Additionally, it can be used to fertilise your soil.

Warning

When you're ready to apply the blood meal, make sure you're wearing a mask and gloves to keep yourself safe! If you have dogs, they might love rolling in it (but make sure to clean up after them!), and raccoons in the neighbourhood might be attracted to the smell.

Welcome, Predators!

To make your yard more welcoming for animals that feed on mice, consider planting shrubs and trees that will provide cover for hawks, owls, and foxes. These animals will be able to see mouse tracks in the bare areas, and a snag or tree perfect for perching can give them the perfect vantage point for stalking mice.

In addition to these natural predators, you can also employ the help of domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, to deter mice from your property and to capture any that do manage to pass through your defences.  

Put Your Autumn Mulch down Late

Mulch can provide a habitat for mice and offer protection as they consume the roots and seeds planted in the soil. It is advisable to avoid creating an environment that would be conducive to their comfort. It is advisable to apply winter mulch only after the ground has frozen, in order to reduce the appeal of your garden as a potential residence for mice.

Keep an Eye on Your Home's Quiet Spots

Mice prefer quiet, dark, and undisturbed areas. It is therefore important to regularly check storage areas and other less-trafficked spots in your home for evidence of mice.

This is particularly relevant in areas with a lot of clutter, so decluttering and reducing the amount of items stored can make it less enticing for mice to nest – and easier for you to spot an infestation if it occurs.

TIP

Food-based holiday decorations are a great way to get into the festive spirit! From salt dough ornaments to straw wreaths and gingerbread house kits, these creative ideas can also encourage a mouse invasion and infestation.

One effective method for detecting rodent activity is the use of baby powder. According to Matts, the application of a light dusting of baby powder in areas of concern allows for the rapid identification of mouse footprints and tail marks within the dust. Additionally, natural repellents, such as clove or peppermint, can be utilized to safeguard items placed in storage during the winter, including boats and ATVs, as suggested by Rooney.

Store Food in a Mouse-Proof Place

We all love a cosy home, but we also want to keep our homes safe from unwanted visitors like mice. Mice need food and shelter to thrive, so the best way to keep them at bay is to deprive them of both as much as possible. Matts has some great tips for getting rid of those pesky rodents!

It's a good idea to keep all food, including pet food, in airtight containers. It's also best to avoid leaving food out on countertops or in open storage.

It's quick and easy to clean up crumbs and spills, so do it regularly. Vacuuming the floors and wiping down the countertops is a great way to eliminate potential food sources. It's best not to leave pet food out overnight, and cleaning up any spilled food or water from pet dishes is a good idea.

Fallen fruit and unpicked garden vegetables can also sustain a mouse population, so it's a good idea to remove them. It's best not to feed birds or stray animals.

Snap Traps Might Be a Good Option to Consider

In some cases, even the most effective repellent strategies may prove inadequate in deterring mice from your premises. In such cases, traps may be a viable solution. Mr. Rooney suggests using old-fashioned snap traps as the most humane option, as they will kill mice immediately. He notes that poisoned bait may not be as precise, potentially ending up in unintended areas or being consumed by other animals. Sticky traps require close monitoring to avoid subjecting mice to a slow and painful death, which Mr. Rooney considers unethical.

Get Professional Help

In the event of evidence indicating the presence of mice within a given space, including the observation of black, rice-like droppings, the detection of gnaw marks on food items, or a direct sighting of the animal itself, it is recommended that the services of a professional be sought. They can conduct an inspection of the premises to ascertain the extent of the infestation and determine the points of entry for the rodents. They can recommend a treatment plan that employs field-tested integrated pest management solutions.

Such an approach can facilitate the swift and painless resolution of the mouse infestation.