Especially as colder months arrive, thinking about rodent control is imperative. After all, if you see one mouse, how many more do you actually have? Since mice tend to live in groups, seeing one often means that there are more in that same area. Consequently, it’s helpful to know some of the best ways to get rid of mice, including the professional mice infestation prevention and removal services available near you. This guide overviews strategies for getting rid of mice, how to choose which one is right for you and recommendations for deterring mice infestations both now and in the future.
What is the best way to get rid of mice?
In addition to visibly witnessing a mouse run in or around the house, some common signs of mice include seeing their droppings and chewing damage, as well as hearing their squeaks and scratching. Since mice and other rodents pose multiple dangers to the well-being of your home, these experiences merit immediate attention by you or a wildlife control expert. While there are many ways to make your home less attractive to mice, the best way to get rid of mice is to use traps.
There are many different types of mouse traps, including snap traps, glue traps, electric mouse traps and live catch traps. Your local pest control professional can provide guidance or execute the installation of these traps for you. Alternatively, you can explore specific shopping recommendations from Good Housekeeping or other home care resources. Regarding the potential for mice infestations, there are also larger traps that can capture multiple mice at a time. Additionally, individuals determining how to catch a mouse may opt to use a variety of DIY designs for this same purpose. Here is some essential information about four commonly used traps:
- Live catch traps: This trap enables people to get rid of mice by relocating them. While these set-ups can be a safer choice for those with kids and pets, this way of getting rid of mice requires ongoing monitoring and post-trapping travel to avoid the mice returning to your home.
- Glue traps: As with live catch traps, this way of getting rid of mice doesn’t have snapping components that may injure children or pets. Its simple design aims to catch mice by trapping them with a sticky surface. However, mice can suffer or die if traps aren’t checked regularly, and they may even be able to escape if not fully stuck.
- Snap traps: Often considered the best way to get rid of mice, snap traps are relatively cheap and can be reusable. They also tend to get the desired results quickly if baited and set effectively.
- Electric mouse traps: Unlike the other three options, this trap will kill mice immediately upon entering the trap. It also requires a power source for operation. Although it is one of the more expensive ways to get rid of mice, it can be used multiple times after each use and cleaning.
How do I determine the best ways to get rid of mice for my home?
Many factors impact the best way to get rid of mice on your property. If you found a mouse in the house and are wondering if there are more, the number of mice may influence whether or not to handle this problem on your own or consult with a pest control expert. Safety and environmental considerations, legal restrictions and the simple desire to avoid handling traps or mice yourself also influence which way to get rid of mice will work best for you. Consequently, executing the best ways to get rid of what attracts mice might be your preferred strategy. The recommendations below can help you keep mice out of your house!
Try natural remedies to get rid of mice!
Pest-repelling plants and essential oils aid in deterring mice, mosquitoes and other bothersome critters in the home as well as outside of it. Consider crushing some of your dried hot peppers from the summer garden harvest and sprinkling them around potential entry points to the home. As it does in protecting plants from pests, combining pepper or other strongly scented oils with water to form a spray can also be used to get rid of mice. Similarly, cotton swabs and rounds or old rag pieces soaked in peppermint, eucalyptus or lavender oil can help repel pests, when placed by floorboards, active mouse locations and potential hiding spots.
Prioritize cleaning up to get rid of mice!
With busy lives and schedules, we can all get a little lax about food and trash storage and cleaning both inside and elsewhere on the property. To stop making your home attractive to mice, recommit to ensuring trash and compost areas are contained and secured. Additionally, be sure to clean up after food preparation and avoid leaving snack crumbs or open pet food for mice to find. On your own or through professional exclusion and sealing services, remove potential pathways into the home such as cracks around doorways or in the foundation. Finally, take time to clean out the garage, as well as attics and basements, to reduce the warm and welcoming nesting spots that may appeal to mice.
Prevention strategies are the best and most proactive way to get rid of what may be attracting mice to your home. When it comes to the best way to get rid of an existing mice infestation, turn to the professionals at Eliminate ‘Em. These mouse control experts can help you address today’s mouse problem and perform maintenance to help you avoid having to get rid of mice in the future. For immediate mouse removal services or any other pest control needs contact us today.
