How to reduce the likelihood of mice in your home?

Preventing mice from entering your home requires a combination of preventative measures and cleanliness.

Mice seek food, water and quiet shelter, so the goal is to eliminate these sources and prevent them from entering your home.

1. Seal entryways.

Mice can enter your home through small cracks and openings (a gap of 5 mm is enough for them).

Check and seal:

- Cracks around doors and windows.

- Holes around pipes, electrical cables and ventilation systems.

- Damaged foundations or walls, poor insulation.

- Use steel wool, metal mesh or foam sealant to seal holes.

2. Keep your home clean.

Mice are attracted to food and garbage.

Make sure:

- Store food in sealable containers (glass or metal).

- Take out the trash regularly and use trash cans with tight-fitting lids.

- Clean up crumbs and food scraps, especially in the kitchen and dining room.

- Keep under appliances (fridge, stove, dishwasher) and in corners of rooms clean.

3. Remove water sources.

Mice need water to survive.

Check for:

- Leaking faucets or pipes.

- Standing water in pet bowls (hide them at night).

- Condensation in the basement or garage.

4. Mow the lawn and clean up around the house.

Mice often hide in dense vegetation or wood piles.

Regularly:

- Mow the lawn and keep the yard clean.

- Remove piles of leaves, wood or building materials.

- Keep compost in a closed compost bin and away from the house.

5. Use repellents.

Some scents repel mice. You can try:

- Peppermint (essential oil or fresh plants).

- Ammonia (soak a cloth and place it near entry points).

- Ultrasonic repellers (they work on the principle of high-frequency sounds). Choose those that have a variable frequency function.

6. Regular inspections.

Inspect the house and surroundings for signs of mice (feces, gnawed objects, nests).

If you find traces, act immediately to prevent the problem from spreading.

7. Use traps and bait.

As a preventive measure, you can place traps or set up poison stations in strategic places (e.g. along walls, in the basement, attic or garage).

Always guard against walls, wearing work gloves. Check and replace them regularly.

8. Get a cat.

Cats are natural predators of mice. They have a strong hunting instinct that drives them to chase and catch small rodents such as mice.

Even if a cat won't kill a mouse, its presence alone can deter mice from entering your home.

If you have a cat at home, don't set poisoned anticoagulant traps yourself! A cat can eat a mouse that has ingested such a trap and secondary poisoning can occur.

If your household is protected by a cat, either opt for mechanical traps or, while you are guarding the poison stations, feed your cat plenty of food and treats and make sure it doesn't hunt or eat its prey.

9. Consider professional help.

If you have a recurring mouse problem, it may be necessary to call in a professional exterminator.

We will conduct a thorough inspection and apply preventative measures that are more effective than home methods.

Summary:

Seal all openings. Keep clean and remove food and water sources. Regularly inspect the house and surrounding area. Use repellents or traps as a preventative measure.

Following these steps will greatly reduce the risk of mice in your home.