Mice are among the most numerous mammals in the world, and they will frequently try to gain access to buildings in search of food and shelter.
And with their population booming worldwide, securing your home against these crafty little intruders is essential.
Here are the 6 most frequent things that attract vermin to your house and how to use that to deter them.
Mice are opportunistic survivalists who have been on this planet for a long time (approximately 56 million years). There are currently many species worldwide, but here are the three most common types you are likely to encounter in your home.
Don’t let its name fool you. This is the most common vermin that will try to enter your property.
It has a golden-brown colour and large ears and can be found in woodland, rough grassland and gardens.
The wood mouse is nocturnal, an agile climber who often tries to gain access through open doors and windows or small cracks and openings around the pipes or roof.
Like other rodents, they have to gnaw continuously at things to keep their constantly growing teeth small enough to eat.
This means a possible infestation can cause a lot of damage to your home. Additionally, all mice are a fire hazard because they chew on electrical wires, which makes rodent-proofing your home a must.
These mice are one of the most successful and opportunistic mammals.
House mice are also highly territorial, and the dominant males do not transgress upon each other’s territory unless it’s vacant. They’re known to thrive around buildings, warehouses, and farms.
If they infest a home, pretty much like all other species, they spread various dangerous diseases like leptospirosis, hantavirus, monkeypox, and Lassa fever. They can also carry and spread pests like fleas, ticks and lice.
This means they’re a serious threat to human health, so prevention is essential.
This type of species is a close relative of the wood mouse and is native to Europe and Asia. It’s got slightly larger ears and tail, plus it’s a skilled climber and doesn’t hibernate during winter.
The yellow-neck mouse can also jump to avoid predators, and the skin of its tail easily detaches if grasped by one to make escaping easier.
Although the exact number of each species is unknown, ever since the global pandemic, all kinds of rodent populations have been on the rise. This makes more frequent dealing with them inevitable.
Like any creature, mice constantly search for food sources and adequate shelter and will not hesitate to make your home theirs if they can access it.
They’re incredibly opportunistic during the colder months when the warmth and possibility of food are so enticing.
As mice constantly gnaw at things, if they gain access, they will have no problem destroying card boxes, paper, or even carpets and pieces of furniture so that they can make a comfortable nest for themselves.
That’s why mice-proofing your home must be your first line of defence to avoid these unwanted guests.
Human food: what human foods usually attract mice?
Mice have a keen sense of smell and will detect all food sources, even the ones in your garbage.
The bad news is that all rodents are omnivorous and will eat anything they can gain access to.
To discourage mice from doing so, you must keep all food safely sealed in either metal, glass or heavy-duty plastic containers that they can’t chew through.
You can also make use of the refrigerator and the freezer, as mice can still squeeze through the small cracks in your pantry and cause damage.
If rodents are attracted to human food, be sure that the same goes for your furry baby’s favourite snack.
The rule of thumb is this: if mice can gain access to it, be sure they’ll eat from it.
The bad news is that if the mouse gains access to the bowl or the food bag, it becomes contaminated and unsafe to eat.
If you notice a mouse in your home, you must disinfect your pet’s bowl and avoid giving him compromised snacks, for it can get really sick.
Buy a new package of food, and store it away somewhere safe. Also, don’t keep the bowl on the ground where mice can gain access to it.
Until you have the mouse problem solved, your best action to safeguard your pet’s health is to be vigilant and protect their food and bowl from contamination.
One of the main reasons why a mouse would love to settle in your home is if you have lots of clutter.
As a matter of fact, the larger the piles, the more mice will be attracted to them. Mice thrive in unkempt environments, as they make perfect places for them to build their nests.
They have a particular fondness for cardboard boxes, paper and piles of clothes as they make for the perfect building material.
The good thing is that most of the stuff you have lying around is made of things you don’t actually need. Start by decluttering, donating, selling or throwing away all these things.
Besides limiting mice’s nesting opportunities, you will be surprised at how much space you will free up if you eliminate clutter.
All garbage cans must be secured for rodents not to gain access. Remember, mice are omnivorous and will have no problem eating pretty much anything. That’s why sealing your garbage cans is the best method of prevention.
If you’ve got a severe infestation going on or if mice keep reappearing in your home, you should reach an expert mice exterminator. The experts will not only get rid of the mice, but they will also personally assess your property and provide you with recommendations on how to make your home rodent-proof so you don’t deal with this type of problem hopefully ever again.
Bird feeders can be another significant source of attraction to vermin, especially if seeds fall on the ground and offer vermin a free snack.
To prevent that, you must position your feeder at a reasonable distance from your home to discourage mice from looking for more food inside your residence.
You must also choose a place where it will be difficult for the feeder to be accessed from the ground.
You can also use a squirrel baffle and weather guard to deter mice and other unwanted rodents.
You should factor in that most birds are messy eaters and spill seeds during feeding, which mice will readily welcome. That’s why choosing a feeder that comes with a tray can ensure there is no free lunch for rodents.
Any greenery around your home will not only attract mice but can also serve as a shelter or a means to gain access to the inside.
That’s why, to make your property less attractive, you must either remove those or keep them trimmed down.
If you’ve got a garden or a yard, it’s imperative to keep it clean and orderly too. Mow the lawn regularly, rake any fallen leaves, and don’t leave any piles of vegetation lying around your property.
If you own a shed, you should seal any cracks and gaps under it and mouse-proof any entry points.
Now that you know more about what attracts vermin to your home, you can take the necessary mice prevention measures to ensure that your property is well protected.
Remember, if you notice a mouse in your home, the most crucial thing is to take action soon.
That can ensure that the situation is handled early and efficiently, and it won’t become a full-blown infestation which is difficult and costly to deal with.
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