Helpful tips to get rid of mice from your home

Mice are a hugely unpopular species of rodent throughout the world. They are ‘pests’ in every sense of the word. Not only do they chew on your walls, furniture, clothes, and wiring, and eat any food you have lying around, they may also carry and spread a number of dangerous diseases such as salmonella, hantavirus, tularemia, and more. 

Besides, they are also unhygienic and unsanitary, as they tend to leave their feces and body hair all around the house. Additionally, they also reproduce at a rapid rate once they find a suitable place to nest. 

Therefore, finding and eliminating mice from your home is extremely important for multiple reasons. 

Here are a few top recommendations. Depending on the extent of the infestation, you may consider using one or more of the following mice removal methods:

1. Restrict their access to food items

Wildlife experts claim that mice eat about three grams of food in a day, and about eight pounds in a year. They prefer eating items high in fat, protein, and sugar. 

Because they consume such an insignificant amount of food, it is pretty easy to eliminate their means of accessing them. You could try storing the animal feeds, cereals, and other dry products in airtight containers made from metal, glass, or heavy-duty plastic that the mice will find hard to nibble through.

In addition, don’t leave food lying around in the house, and clean up your table and kitchen after every meal to ensure there are no crumbs or leftovers on the floor, table, or kitchen counter.  

2. Cover all main entrances to your house

Mice usually try to enter homes when the temperature is low. They tend to rest in a warm, cozy area during the cold winter months in Canada. 

So, try to seal all gaps and entrances into your home before the winter begins. Use sealant or house wrap to plug microscopic gaps in your basement, sheathing, and entrances to keep them out. Insert material into exhaust apertures to deter access while not impeding airflow. 

3. Use a variety of mouse repellents 

Mice have a very heightened sense of smell, which you may utilize to your benefit while trying to get rid of them. Consider the following natural mouse repellent options:

Natural and essential oils: Mice despise the smell of peppermint oil, cayenne, cloves, and pepper. Get any of these natural ingredients from your local health store, dip a cloth in them, and apply them at any place you've had mouse issues, such as beneath gadgets or behind cupboards. Toothpaste, detergent, and alcohol can also be used.

Apple cider vinegar and water: You could try using a combination of apple cider vinegar, and water and sprinkling it around your exteriors and porch. If there are any entry points for the mice in your house, you could sprinkle the mixture using a squeeze bottle. At least once a month, you also can add any natural deterrents you're using with this combination.

4. Try ammonia/peppermint drenched cotton balls

The smell of ammonia reminds the mice of its predator, hence, even a small amount of it is successful in keeping the mice away. You can put cotton balls drenched in ammonia in areas where mice assemble regularly. 

If ammonia is not available, you could soak the cotton balls in peppermint oil which the mice dislike because it contains potent menthol compounds that irritate their nasal cavities. 

5. Call The Professionals

If you’re dealing with one mouse or two, the above methods should help you out. However, if you’re dealing with a larger infestation, you may want to call professionals with experience in mice removal. 

They know how to deal with any level of mouse infestation, and have the skills, tools, and the training necessary to do it safely and efficiently. 

At times, you may believe you’re dealing with just one mouse, but there could be a nest nearby, which puts your home at greater risk of a mouse infestation. Therefore, even if you’re dealing with one mouse, it’s best to get in touch with the professionals, as they will be able to locate nests and get rid of all the mice.