Mice are tiny and cute, but what happens if they infest your house? Aside from the dangerous diseases they can transfer to people and pets, these rodents can also cause a lot of damage to your home. Do you want to learn how to get rid of mice? We put together a list of the best techniques to help you deal with the problem and keep your home safe.
If you haven’t seen a mouse in your home, but you doubt mouse infestation, some telltale signs include mouse droppings, tracks, holes in your walls, noises at night, nests, unpleasant smell, and markings on walls. Below you’ll find out why these rodents are so dangerous, how to repel mice, and how to deal with an infestation.
Why Are Mice Dangerous?
Did you know that rodents can carry several diseases and transfer them to you or your pet? These conditions can lead to severe health symptoms- that’s why preventing mice infestation should be your priority.
Hantavirus
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a condition caused by inhaling or direct contact with mouse urine or droppings. If the mouse present in your home is a carrier of this virus, you can contract it and end up with serious consequences and even death.
Leptospirosis
If mice infest your home, they can carry leptospirosis and transfer this bacterial infection to you or your pets. When rodents urinate in a home, then chances are the urine will contaminate a water source. That’s why you have to hide a pet’s water bowl in a cupboard and clean it well after every use. The bacteria called Leptospira can also cause severe symptoms if it gets to people, including vomiting, abdominal pain, chills, headache, jaundice, liver damage, kidney failure, and more.
Tularemia
Rodents with tularemia can transfer it to humans through biting flies, ticks, or other arthropods, infested water, or if you inhale feces and urine. Some of the symptoms include headache, fever, joint pain, muscle pain, no appetite.
Your pets can also be infected and transfer the disease to you. That’s why you should learn how to get rid of mice and find the best preventative measures to keep them away from your home.
Salmonellosis
Salmonellosis is another bacterial infection that is especially dangerous for young kids. Getting in touch with mouse droppings is the primary way of transfer.
Aside from these health risks, mice can also:
- Damage walls
- Chew and damage wires
- Chew wood
- Cause an electrical fire
- Damage plastic pipes
- Damage gas lines
How To Get Rid Of Mice In House: 4 Best Ways
According to a study conveyed by the National Institute Of Environmental Health Sciences, mice allergens are present in 82% of US homes. So, if you’ve been dealing with an infestation, you’re not the only one. The four ways we listed below are the most common and efficient to get rid of harmful rodents.
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Mouse Traps
A mousetrap is the most effective tip you can use to clean your home of rodents. There are many types of traps to opt for. The different designs vary by size, price, and technique they use to kill rodents.
- Snap traps: these traps are one of the most common and easiest ways to deal with mice. This trap will kill the mice once they get inside because it’s equipped with an efficient snap mechanism.
- Glue traps: as the name suggests, these traps use glue to trap mice. When the rodent gets stuck on the glue, it can’t move, and it will stay inside the trap. These traps can help you kill rodents, or you can decide to release them, depending on the design.
- Electric traps: these traps use electricity to kill the trapped animal. Once the mouse gets inside the trap, it will release electric shocks that end fatally for the rodent.
Remember that traps need bait to lure the mouse in. You can use cheese, bird seeds, chocolate, peanut butter, marshmallows.
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Humane Traps
If you hate killing animals, and you’re wondering how to get rid of mice naturally without hurting them, you can use humane traps. These traps are meant to trap the mouse; then, you’re the one who should release it. It’s more complicated than a simple trap-and-kill, but it’s far more ethical. Sticky traps and live catch traps are a great option. You can lure rodents using peanut butter, cheese, pet food, jam, seeds, chocolate, buttered popcorn. Once the rodent is in the trap, you should release it in an uninhabited area far from your home. Be careful not to get in touch with the rodent; wear gloves and a mask.
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Bait Stations
Bait stations feature a kind of bait such as food or pellets that attract the rodents in your home. Once the mouse gets to the station, it will eat through the protective packaging, eat the meal, then die.
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A Professional Exterminator
Getting in touch with a professional exterminator is the safest way to get rid of mice. This is even more important if you’re dealing with a severe infestation. Also, professionals will be able to let you know if you’re dealing with any other infestations by other common house bugs while they’re taking care of the rodents.
How To Know When All The Mice Are Gone?
Now that you set up all the baits and used all the tips, how will you know when all the mice are gone? Well, this step is similar to the one that helps you recognize that your house is infested by rodents:
- No more mice in sight: the most obvious sign is that you won’t notice a mouse running around your home.
- No smell: another way that people know they’ve solved their problem is that the unpleasant smell is gone.
- No more droppings: those tiny droppings that you saw near your walls will be gone. Although mice feces are small, you’ll definitely see it around the house when rodents are present.
- No more sounds: if you were hearing scratching noise at night, that will no longer be the case once you’ve gotten rid of mice.
- No new damage: rodents create holes in walls, so you can expect that to stop when the infestation is dealt with.
Best Tips To Prevent Mice From Entering Your House
Keeping mice away from your home is much easier than having to deal with an infestation. The tips we listed will help you learn how to get rid of mice naturally, how to use ultrasonic repellers, caulk, steel wool, and a clean kitchen to mouse-proof your home.
Pest Control
Ultrasonic repellers used for pest management also repel mice. These devices are quite affordable and will help you keep your house safe from pests, bugs, rodents, and even bats. The ultrasonic waves that the repellers emit are harmful to bugs and rodents but are perfectly safe for people and pets. Regular seasonal pest control is another thing you should practice to ensure a safe home.
Steel Wool And Caulk
If you’re scared that mice and rats will get into your home, you should seal their entry points. The craziest thing about these small rodents is that they can get in even from the smallest cracks and openings located in your home. What’s even worse, mice can go through a number of materials, make these cracks bigger and create a home in your house. Steel wool and caulk are the two materials they can’t chew, so you can use them to seal all the openings.
Store Food Properly
Mice are constantly searching for a source of food, and if you have yours out around the house, the chances are they’ll decide to stay. This is even more pronounced during winter when rodents look for a place to keep them warm and provide them food. This is why you should always store food in containers and place it in the fridge and cupboards. Also, keep the kitchen as clean as possible because even crumbs can be a potential bait for mice.
Remember to keep your pet food in a sealed container because it can appeal to rodents. If you see a bowl full of food that’s been out for a long time, you should throw out the food and keep the bowl clean.
Use Essential Oils
If you have an essential oil lying around the house, now is the best time to use it. Peppermint oil is your best bet because mice and rats hate the scent. Rodents have a heightened sense of smell, so when they get near the cotton balls soaked with oil around your home, they will run away.
This natural remedy will deter mice, and it’s perfect for everyone who hates the cruelty of using traps or toxic chemical poisons to kill rodents. Some people use essential oils to get rid of mice after an infestation, but it’s much better to use oils to prevent infestation. Even if you’re not a big fan of home remedies, you have to try this one to protect your home.
Conclusion
How to get rid of mice in your house? Dealing with these small rodents can be tricky, but you deal with them yourself if you set up mouse traps and humane traps. If not, you can always call a professional exterminator. Bait stations are another way to go but aren’t as safe for houses with pets and kids.
We already mentioned that mice could cause a range of diseases and extensive damage in your home. To prevent this, you can use ultrasonic devices, cover potential entry points with steel wool and caulk, store food properly, and use essential oils. If you practice these tips, your house will be mouse-free, and you’ll be safe from dangerous diseases.