Once you discover that mice have moved in to your house, the first question is usually “how did they get in?” It’s an important thing to ask because you can’t effectively get rid of a rodent infestation if you still have new mice constantly coming in. Eliminating their access points is a key aspect of proper exterminating.
If you talk to a professional like Fox Pest Control, a Lexington exterminator, you can probably get a few tips on keeping mice out as well as just dealing with them once they are inside.
How They Get In
The simple answer is that mice get into your house through gaps in your walls. Cracks, holes, spaces, and openings of any kind can let in a mouse. The catch is that these openings can be impossibly small and still easily let mice come through. On average, an adult mouse can fit through a hole around the size of a dime. Even for a concerned home-owner, that can be hard to see.
Take a close inspection of your house and look for any places where siding is loose, or window trim is cracked. The holes tend to be virtually invisible not only because they are small but because they are behind something that blocks your view. Fill gaps with putty, wood filler or even plugs of steel wool to keep out the mice.
Sometimes it can be easier to spot holes when looking on the inside, so do a little inspecting in the house as well (mostly the basement, attic or garage areas).
Windows without screens can be a point of entry as well, but usually only in parts of the house that don’t have too much activity (like the basement). Keep them secure with window screens, and check regularly to make sure that the screens are tight and don’t have holes themselves.
Why They Come In
You should consider the reasons why mice come into your house, because that’s a big area you can work on besides just plugging up holes. Removing any unnecessary temptation can be a powerful tool since you usually can’t effectively block every single tiny crack.
In winter, mice may be looking for shelter which isn’t something you can do much about other than fix the holes. They can also be searching for bedding or nesting materials, which you can eliminate. Clear away newspapers, loose fabrics and anything similar that a mouse might tear up for nest material.
After that, it’s most likely food they are looking for. Clean up any crumbs and spills in the kitchen to reduce the smell of food, and don’t keep any exposed foot out on the table or counters. And since mice are industrious chewers, even boxed food can be a target. If you are worried about mice, don’t leave any packaged food around that is in paper or cardboard.
Hopefully, you will be able to keep any rodents out and won’t have to deal with any mice problems inside your home.
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