Having mice in your house is very frustrating especially because of the damage they can cause to your property. Mice as well carry diseases therefore when they gain entry to your house, they can easily spread them to the members of your household. Mice like getting into houses in search of food and shelter. We have compiled some helpful tips regarding how to prevent them from entering your house in the first place. Grab a cup of coffee, sit down then go through the following tips:
1.Seal up your house
Seal holes and cracks with metal, cement or steel wool since they can be entry points for the rodents. Close doors and windows at all times and if you have to keep them open install screens
2.Store food in airtight containers
One of the reasons mice enter your home is to look for food and if they find any, they will feast on it. Make sure to store food in airtight containers in order to keep them off
3.Seal your trash can
Mice are also attracted by food scraps in the trash can. Always seal it up and keep it far from the house
4. Set up traps
Set traps outside your house where you think mice pass as they get in. That way they will be trapped before they enter your house
5.Keep floors and countertops clean
Wipe out the food scraps and crumbs that might have fallen on the counter tops and floor especially while cooking. Vacuum your carpets regularly to get rid of food debris that might attract mice to your house. Keep your house clean by frequently mopping the floors including all the corners of the house
6.Prune shrubbery away from your house
Unkempt shrubs and branches can attract mice to your house. Trim them to keep those rodents away. Keep stacks of firewood at least 20 feet away from the house since mice like nesting in piles. In addition, elevate your logs at least 18 inches off the ground
7.Seal pet food
Once you have bought dog and cat food, transfer them to airtight containers since mice might feed on them if they remain open or if stored in something like plastic paper they can easily chew through
8.Remove your home’s clutter
Mice are attracted to the forgotten areas like the storage rooms, closets and basements. Get rid of these types of clutter from your house to discourage mice from getting in the house since they can use them as nesting places:
Cardboard boxes, piles of magazines and newspapers, boxes of old cookware, piles of clothing, old furniture, cans and bottles
9.Seal off cable and drain outlets, vents and chimneys
Mice can easily pass-through cables if the hole is large enough for them to fit into. They can also go through holes meant for running pipes and drains or pass via vents and chimneys. To prevent mice from getting into your house via cables, drain outlets, vents and chimneys:
. Stuff stainless steel pads into small holes around pipes and cables then seal the holes with caulk
. Install screens on the pipes, vents and chimneys
10.Lay down cinnamon sticks
Mice find the strong spicy aroma from cinnamon unpleasant. Place cinnamon sticks in drawers and closets to create a natural festive repellant
11.Consider a cat
Mice are afraid of cats and therefore having one can help scare them away
12.Try natural mice repellent
Mice have a strong sense of smell and they hate the aroma of essential oils like peppermint oil, cayenne, pepper, and cloves. Soak some cotton balls in essential oils for instance peppermint oil and place them on the places that mice frequent and hide. You can also use toothpaste and vinegar
13.Install Gutter Guards
Mice can easily access your house through gutters therefore it is important to install gutter guards as a way of denying them entry to your house
14.Fix Any Gaps in Your Foundation
It is necessary to fix gaps in the foundation of your house if any reason being mice can penetrate your house through them
15.Install weather stripping
Gaps at the bottom of your exterior doors offer interesting access points for mice to get right into your house. Seal them with a little adhesive-backed weather stripping and save yourself frustrations of hosting a mouse in your house
16.Keep Your Garage Food-Free and close its doors all the time
Mice can enter your house through your garage therefore keep it free from food and always close its doors to deter them from accessing it. Notably, mice can easily slip under and around garage doors, so if you have an attached garage, check the wall and the door in between your house and garage for gaps and cracks and attend to them appropriately
17.Seal Off Utility Lines
Ensuring that there are no major gaps in your sidings where utility lines are installed will aid in keeping mice off your house. If you notice there are gaps in the places where the utility lines run through fill them with mouse – proof materials to prevent their access to your house
18.Seal holes on the roof
See to it that you seal holes in the roof to prevent mice from using them as entry points to your house. Also seal the gaps between the concrete and the roof to limit their access to your house ceiling. You can seal the gaps with wire mesh
19.Eliminate all moisture sites
Replace leaking pipes and unblock clogged drains since if left unattended they provide perfect breeding sites for mice. Also keep your basement well ventilated and dry
20.Serve them soda
Put some soda in a bowl where you suspect mice like hiding and spending their time in. Sugar in the soda will attract them and carbonation in it can kill them
- Check for rotted boards
Explore the wooden places in your house like under the stairs and under the roofline to see if they have been gnawed by insects. Mice can enlarge the holes created by insects with their nails and teeth to gain access to your house. Replace the wood if need be
Consider us as Green Icon Cleaning Services team for fumigation services. If mice have already gained an entry to your house, engage us and we will assist you to completely eradicate them.
We also offer all types of cleaning services ranging from post – construction cleaning, office cleaning, carpet cleaning, move in move out cleaning, residential cleaning, after event and party cleaning, vehicle interior cleaning, sofa set cleaning, mattress cleaning, commercial and domestic laundry. Also consider us for such services
Our mobile number is 0713 163 918.Send us an email via info@greeniconcleaning.co.ke or fill the contact box on our website and we will attend to you within no time. The very best as you try out the above tips