Most people don’t consider mice and rodents pests in the home, but their waste and droppings are dangerous to your health and property. Mice and rodents can damage insulation, chew through wires, and contaminate foodstuffs, resulting in thousands of dollars in damages. Luckily, there are many ways to keep these animals away from your home so you can feel safe at night and cook delicious meals! Here are five ways to keep mice and rodents away from your home.
1) Use mouse traps
If you have mice in your home, using mouse traps can eliminate them. But you don’t want to place traps too close together, or they might attract each other, leading to more problems. To prevent an increase in mice without getting caught up in a cat-and-mouse game, take care when placing traps around your home. Space them out about 6 feet apart for best results. You should also make sure to use multiple types of traps. Place snap traps along walls near dark areas where mice are likely to be found—for example, under furniture or behind appliances—while glue boards are better suited for open spaces such as underneath counters and cabinets. It may take some time before you catch anything with either trap type, but eventually, it will happen!
Killing isn’t always necessary: There are humane ways to keep rodents away from your home that will not involve killing them.
2) Clean your garbage bins regularly
You’re probably looking at these critters right now, wondering how they got into your home. It could be your fault. If you let your trash bins overflow, mice can easily climb in. Also, keep an eye on pet food outside—rodents have a keen sense of smell, so leaving their dinner out is like waving a red flag in front of a bull. They’ll smell it from miles away. Don’t leave any open bags of dog or cat food sitting around. And if you’ve got bird feeders outside, make sure there are no holes where rodents can get through.
3) Seal off all possible entry points into your house
Do you have cracks in your foundation or windows? Are there holes in your soffits? Are there any gaps under doors, along walls, or around pipes? Rodents can fit through tiny spaces. You might not see them, but they can come into your home via these routes. Take time to inspect all entry points. If you see something out of place, get it patched up—mice and rodents are crafty at finding their way into a house.
4) Plant mint plants around your house
Not only does mint smell great, but it’s also a natural deterrent for rodents. These tiny mammals are less likely to linger around or enter an area with mint growing nearby. It is an effective repellent, but it’s also a natural air freshener! Placing fresh mint sprigs along your foundation will keep them out for good.
5) Get a cat
Keeping a cat indoors is a great way to keep mice and other small critters away from your home. The idea is that cats naturally hunt for food, which gives them an extra incentive to protect their turf, including your house! Cats are also very territorial animals, so if they aren’t inside, there are likely a few roaming around in search of food—and will be less likely to come across yours.
