Dealing with mice on your own can be difficult as these tiny rodents are actually quite clever and reproduce excessively. You can always call in a professional and deal with an infestation quickly, or you can try a number of different remedies if you see a mouse in your home. 

Determine the Points of Entry

The first thing you should do if you see a mouse scurrying across the floor is figuring out where it came from. Older buildings, houses, or any other structure can have a number of weak points where holes form. Check around any heaters/radiators/vents, as well as doors, windows, and basements. Mice can squeeze into the smallest holes, so don’t leave anything up to chance. You can call a professional to fill the holes or go down to your local hardware store and buy some sealant. It may also be a good idea to plug the holes with aluminum foil or steel wool, which hurts rodents’ teeth, making it difficult for them to chew through a second time. 

Set Traps With the Right Bait

You can also pick up a few different types of mouse traps at the store. There are sticky traps, which may work on small mice or babies but larger mice and rats are often able to avoid them. There are also traps that snap shut and require some bait to be placed in the middle. These traps have a certain success rate, but they won’t guarantee that you’ll catch all the mice. And a grown mouse can have a new litter of up to 14 pups in just 21 days - which is why you may want to have a professional come in and locate all nesting areas. However, if you’re determined to DIY make sure that you pick the right kind of bait. Chocolate, peanut butter, bacon, oatmeal, or dried fruit are some favorites. You can also use a hot glue gun to secure the snack to make sure the mouse doesn’t get away with it. 

Start Sanitizing and Keeping a Crumb-Free Kitchen

It’s a no-brainer that poor sanitary conditions will attract mice. If you see a mouse, one of your first points of action should be to inspect the kitchen and any other areas where you eat for signs of mice. This can look like bags that have been chewed through or tiny droppings. Vacuum and disinfect all surfaces to remove the smell of food. Place any snacks or open bags or boxes in the pantry (like rice, pasta, etc.) into plastic tubs or other sealable containers. If you have pets and leave out pet food, now is the time to start putting the food away when it isn’t mealtime. The last thing you want is to find rodents spreading disease in your pet’s food trays. By eliminating the smell and temptation of food, you’re making your house inhospitable for these critters.

Do Home Remedies Work for Mice?

There are a lot of suggestions that can work to prevent mice, or deal with a stray one. The problem is that a small mouse problem often turns into a horrifying infestation all too quickly. Some suggest dropping cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil, or spraying a mix of strong-smelling herbal oils, but this is often difficult and can affect small children and pets as well.

Get Rid of Mice, Once and For All

Living with an infestation of mice can be nerve-wracking. If you’re hearing chewing in the walls, finding nests or mouse droppings, or food in your kitchen is repeatedly being chewed through, it is time to call in a professional. At Spence’s Pest Control, we have over 40 years of experience dealing with rodents of all kinds and can help you and your family find peace of mind. Schedule a free inspection today!