How to Keep Mice Out Of Your Home

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Mice are one of the most frustrating pests that can enter your home. Not only are they unpleasant and capable of inflicting property damage; they’re also known carriers of various diseases. When rodents enter homes, they’re usually looking for food, water, or nesting locations. Knowing this is an important part of understanding how to keep mice out. If you take away access to these resources, it will force them to find somewhere else to live.

So, let’s talk about some of the reasons infestations start and how to keep mice out of your home.

How to Prevent Mice from Infesting Your Home

Mice are looking for three things: food, water, and nesting locations. Controlling these is easier said than done, of course, because mice are resourceful. They will use any discarded fabric or paper products for nesting material, and their diet includes everything from insects to crumbs.

Here are some ways you can take away access to resources from mice:

• Keep all food stored in airtight containers.
• Clean the kitchen and cabinets of any food residue.
• Pick up any and all clutter.
• Store pet foods in sealed containers.
• Secure blankets, pillows, and other fabric materials in totes.
• Get rid of unneeded paper goods or put them in sealed containers.
• Seal cracks and holes in your foundation, walls, doors, and windows. This is part of a process called mouse exclusion, which is crucial to mouse prevention.
• Make sure garbage can lids are closed tightly.
• Repair any pipe leaks; check appliances for leaks.
• Inspect areas like the crawl space or basement for areas with excess moisture.
• Take care of any pest problems as soon as possible.
• If you notice signs of mice or rodents in your home, get rid of them immediately – or they may be followed by many more.

Signs You May Have Rodents

Mice breed rapidly, so a few can quickly turn into many. That means if you notice any signs of mice in your home, you need to deal with them immediately. Knowing how to recognize these signs of mice is an important part of keeping them out of your home:

• Droppings: Keep an eye out for small, pellet-like droppings in your living spaces.
• Unexplained noises: Are you hearing scratching, scampering, or gnawing sounds, especially at night?
• Chewed wires or furniture: Rodents have a knack for nibbling on electrical wires and wooden items.
• Nesting materials: Discovering shredded paper or fabric in hidden corners can be a red flag.
• Gnaw marks: Look for signs of gnawing on food packaging or other materials.
• Foul odors: A musty, unpleasant smell can indicate their presence.

What Is Mouse Exclusion?

If your house is perfectly sealed off, mice will never be able to get inside. The problem is it’s hard to get your house perfectly sealed off. Especially when mice only need an opening less than the size of a dime to squeeze in.

Exclusion is the process of inspecting your house and doing the maintenance and repairs so mice can’t get in. It’s not easy, but it’s doable, and it’s an important part of pest control of all types. Our rodent control technicians are experts at rodent exclusion, so feel free to call us today with any questions or for an appointment.

We Can Help Keep Mice Out of Your House

Rodents like mice are vectors for over 35 diseases, impacting your loved ones’ health. They can also cause damage to your home resulting in costly repairs. Most big box stores will sell traps and poisons to help rid your home of rodents. Without the help of a professional, these traps and poisons can pose a risk to both your children and pets and are unable to target and eliminate rodent nests like a skilled rodent terminator would be able to. 

At Rocket Pest, we are committed to keeping your family and pets safe while getting rodents out of your home. Our technicians can draw on over 65 years of experience in the pest industry to ensure that your home is pest-free. Contact us today for a free quote and expert rodent prevention tips!