Winter is a season when we start taking measures and precautions to keep the cold out of our homes. Apart from the efforts to keep the warmth inside, we also need to ensure that we keep pests such as mice outside. As the temperatures drop, rodents start looking for shelter and food, and our homes seem to offer an easy solution. However, rodent infestations can lead to health hazards, sanitation issues, and property damage. On that note, here are some useful tips to keep mice outside your home this winter.
1. Seal Entry Points: Ensure that your home has no openings through which mice can enter. Start by checking window and door frames, seal gaps with caulk, and repair holes in walls or foundations. Do not underestimate even small gaps, as mice can enter through holes as small as the size of a dime. Check for any openings in your home’s plumbing and electrical fixtures and close those as well. Keep the garage door closed, or install door seals and weather-stripping to prevent entry.
2. Sanitize Your Home: Mice are attracted to food, and their sense of smell is quite keen. Keep your kitchen and other areas in the house clean and tidy. Wipe surfaces and sweep floors regularly, keep food containers tightly sealed, and store food items, including pet food, in airtight containers. Also, ensure the disposal of waste and garbage regularly and properly.
3. Eliminate Attractive Nesting Materials: Mice need nesting materials such as shredded paper, fabrics, or twine. Keep these materials off the floor and stored away if not in use. Also, avoid unnecessarily storing cardboard boxes and newspapers where rodents can shred them and use for nesting materials.
4. Act Immediately if You See Signs of Mice: If you spot signs of mice, such as droppings, gnaw marks, or nests, take action immediately. Call a pest control professional to come and inspect your house for infestation and discuss the elimination options available to you.
Winter is an ideal time for mice to seek warmth and shelter in our homes, but that does not mean they have to be welcome. By sealing all entry points, sanitizing your home, eliminating nesting materials, using pest repellents, and acting immediately if you spot signs of mice, you can keep them outside your home. Remember, the earlier you take action to prevent or eliminate infestations, the less risk you will have of damage and exposure to health hazards associated with mice. Stay vigilant, stay clean, and stay safe this winter.
