Anybody who has ever opened their pantry to find their food items chewed through and mouse droppings everywhere knows the frustration of your house suddenly transforming into a Motel 6 for rodents. They leave their waste everywhere, and they can chew through electrical wiring, which is a serious fire hazard.
Rodents Carry Transmittable Diseases
Though mice may be a little cuter than cockroaches, don’t let their twitchy little whiskers and cute ears fool you. According to the CDC, rodents can carry up to 35 transmittable diseases. Don’t worry, though, because there are multiple ways to provide effective pest control for your home.
However, if you do have a severe infestation it’s best to call a professional. A reputable company in the Mississippi area is Synergy a leader in the pest control field. They’re a family-owned business with several years of experience providing quality extermination and pest control services to the local community. For now, here are some simple yet effective ways to keep your home safe and free of rodents.
1. Seal up any cracks or holes around your home, no matter how small
Mice are so compact and flexible they can fit through a hole the size of a dime. Take the time to inspect your foundation and the interior and exterior of your home, basement and garage. Make sure to identify any small spaces where rodents could potentially gain access. You can use all sorts of materials to fill in the holes, including steel wool, caulk, liquid rubber, even putty or concrete. For larger areas, putting a brick or large stone in front of the hole should suffice.
2. Don’t leave crumbs out and place all food stored in your pantry into chew-proof containers
Mice are nocturnal animals, which means they are most active at night. When you leave food or crumbs around your home, it’s essentially a calling card that says, Hey, there’s food available here! Clean up crumbs and messes every night and invest in some glass or metal food storage containers. Rodent teeth never stop growing, so they continuously gnaw on everything and will chew through paper, cardboard, and most plastics. Glass or metal containers prevent them from chewing their way into the food inside.
3. Spray peppermint oil, ammonia, or hot sauce around any access points
Mice are creatures with sensitive noses. When you spray or dab peppermint oil, ammonia, or hot sauce around all the entry points of your home, it deters mice from entering. The strong and harsh odours are surprisingly effective at keeping your home mouse-free, and they are also an affordable solution for any homeowner.
4. Place mouse traps around your home
The most obvious method is to place mouse traps around your home. There are different kinds of traps for any preference. There are regular snap traps, poison bait, glue traps, or catch-and-release traps. Pick one based on the level of control you want, but if you choose catch-and-release, make sure to release the mouse far away from your home so it doesn’t find its way back again.
Keep Your Home Free from Annoying Pests
If you utilize the methods listed above, you should have no problem keeping your home free of rodents and getting rid of any pests you already have. Mice carry many dangerous diseases, and they can chew through drywall, insulation, and electrical wiring. For severe infestations, call a professional to take care of your rodent control needs and rest assured knowing your home is safe again.
