Some mice live in fields, and some mice can live in your home. The house mouse is one of many field mice, but it loves living in homes so much that it is difficult to find populations of house mice living in the wild. When they are located, it is found that house mice live in smaller densities. There may be less than 1 mouse in 100 square meters. In urban centers, there can be as many as 10 mice per square meter. This is important to understand because it provides insight into why it is so difficult to get control of a house mouse infestation. These mice do well inside man-made structures, and they prefer to be inside them. You’re going to have a hard time convincing a house mouse that your home isn’t perfect for raising a family. And getting rid of the mice in your Chandler home isn’t likely to permanently solve your problem. If mice get in, there is a higher risk that more will do the same. Here’s what you can do about it.
Mouse Attractants
Before mice get into your home, they come into your yard. There are many reasons they may do this. There might be construction nearby. Vibrations can cause mice to migrate. There might be flooding or some other natural condition that is unfavorable for mice. This can make them leave a ground burrow, a nest in a log, or a nest in the wall of an exterior building. Most of the time, mice just spread naturally as they grow their populations, and as they search for ideal locations to acquire food and water. This can bring them from one structure to another.
If you currently have a mouse infestation in your home, you need to consider mouse pressures in your yard to get control of your mouse problem. If you don’t have a mouse infestation, addressing attractants around your home can prevent one. Consider these mouse control tips.
Birdseed. Seeds are a highly sought-after food source. Move bird feeders away from your home to prevent seeds from falling to the ground and attracting mice.
The scent of trash. House mice aren’t as picky as you are. They can find a meal in a bag of trash. Never put trash bags on the floor or the ground, and keep your receptacles clean so they don’t have an odor.
Vegetables, berries, and fruit. Fencing can prevent mice from taking advantage of these exterior food sources.
Standing water. A house mouse needs a drink. Address issues that allow rainwater to be captured.
Hiding places. House mice are timid. They don’t like to be out in the open. They scurry from one hiding place to another and run along walls. Remove lawn clutter. Rake leaves up and remove them. Move wood piles away from your home. Reduce unnecessary vegetation in your landscaping. Keep your landscaping trimmed.
Keeping Mice Out
Whether you have a mouse infestation in your Chandler property, or you’re looking to prevent one, exclusion should be part of your plan. You don’t want new mice coming in to replace any mice you’ve removed.
It can be difficult to keep mice out, especially if you have a lot of mouse activity around your home. House mice have strong teeth that can chew through many building materials, and they will make short work of weatherstripping on your exterior doors. Exclusion isn’t enough on its own. You must reduce attractants—as we discussed above.
There are two ways to exclude mice: Sealing current entry points and protecting vulnerable locations. Consider these tips to keep mice out.
- Seal gaps around pipes, wires, windows, and doors.
- Replace or repair any window or door screens that are damaged.
- Replace or repair weatherstripping or door sweeps on exterior doors.
- Fix cracks in your foundation.
Why It Is Important To Keep Mice Out Of Your Home
House mice spread harmful bacteria, parasitic worms, ticks, fleas, and other organisms. They leave their feces and urine in the places they explore, and they do a lot of damage with their constant chewing. One thing they chew on is wires. This can lead to a house fire. The best solution for the mouse and rodent control in Chandler is to contact Green Home Pest Control. Reach out to us at the first sign of rodent activity in your home. We’re here to help you with all your pest control needs.