Getting rid of mice is one task that most homeowners hope to never perform. However, mice can climb into the smallest cracks and openings, making them common pests to any household.
The do it yourself pest control trend is on the rise, with more and more homeowners taking on the challenge from YouTube tutorials and online guides.
Of course, professional pest control services are still viable options, especially when the mice are particularly stubborn or make a nest in hard-to-reach places.
Many homeowners wonder how to get rid of mice naturally in order to make it the most humane task possible.
There are a few key products and items you can find right in your cupboards at home that can be used to repel mice and drive them out of the house.
To learn more about how you can get rid of mice in your home using tools, techniques and natural home remedies, continue reading the topics discussed below.
How to Get Rid of Mice with a Professional Service
When it comes to getting rid of mice, most homeowners choose to call in the professionals.
Whether they are scared of the tiny rodents or simply choose not to deal with them, homeowners can trust that a professional exterminator will get the job done.
Professional pest control services have been around for decades. Mice are no stranger to walls, ceilings and crawlspaces.
Do it yourself pest control is fun and challenging, but many homeowners prefer a no-nonsense approach to eliminating the little guys.
However, choosing the right type of exterminator is an important step that cannot be overlooked. Some homeowners have a specific preference of getting rid of the mice.
Many prefer a humane method, which some exterminators are not known for.
Knowing how to get rid of mice while using a professional service helps homeowners feel in control. The most common method used by exterminators is mouse traps, which may or may not contain poison.
After a walkthrough of the home, the exterminator identifies areas where traps would be most effective.
Exterminators know how to get rid of mice in the walls, which is one of the toughest areas for homeowners to deal with.
One of the top reasons for hiring a professional service is to ensure complete elimination of the mouse colonies, which can carry bacteria and other dangerous diseases.
Before settling on a mouse exterminator, contact up to three companies for a free estimate. Most companies will perform an inspection for free and provide you an estimate of the total cost.
Additionally, most will discuss their approach and follow-through methods.
The lowest-price pest control services may not always be the best option.
Consider the companies that will go the extra mile to discuss their elimination methods and provide thorough feedback to verify that the mice are gone.
Also, it is best to choose a company that takes preventive measures to ensure the mice do not come back.
Learn About the Best Tools for Getting Rid of Mice
Getting rid of mice begins with having the proper tools on hand. A mouse trap is the most common and most effective tool to eliminate mice from a home. Traditional wooden snap traps are best for small mice populations.
Homeowners should overestimate the number of mice they believe are in the house. If one is seen scrambling around, chances are there are more. Individuals should lay up to a dozen traps in various places to be safe.
Knowing how to get rid of mice with traps also means understanding the importance of variety.
Homeowners should set out wooden traps, bait traps, multiple-capture live traps and glue traps. In doing so, they are enticing the mice that may be keen to certain types of traps.
Steel wool and caulk work wonders in sealing possible entry points. While these tools do not necessarily get rid of mice already in the home, they help prevent infestations from occurring in the first place.
Inspect the exterior of the home for cracks, gaps and openings. Use weather stripping on doors and windows for extra protection.
How to Get Rid of Mice Naturally
If you’re wondering how to get rid of mice naturally, then you will be happy to learn there are a few effective natural treatment methods.
Getting rid of mice can be a tough and gruesome job, and many homeowners are nervous about using poison in their homes.
Fortunately, certain natural products and items have proven effective in eliminating mouse populations.
Using peppermint oil to get rid of mice is one natural remedy used by many homeowners. The fresh scent of peppermint acts as a deterrent, sending mice scrambling away.
Douse cotton balls with a few drops of the oil and place them in kitchen cabinets, entry ways and suspected entry points.
You can even plant mint along the exterior of your home to prevent mice from entering altogether.
When it comes to knowing how to get rid of mice home remedies are widely available. One such home remedy uses instant mashed potatoes to repel mice.
Sprinkle a packet of instant potatoes along entry points. Mice eat the flakes, which expand in their stomachs and kill them.
It is widely known that cats are natural predators of mice. You can sprinkle used kitty litter around the exterior of your home to repel mice.
They will smell the ammonia and suspect a cat lives in the home, sending them running for the hills.
How to Get Rid of Mice in the Walls
Some do it yourself pest control tips are designed to help homeowners get rid of mice that nestle in the walls of their homes.
The walls can be particularly tricky for most homeowners to work with. After all, mice can slip through the tiniest of cracks, but human hands aren’t so successful.
If you are wondering how to get rid of mice in the walls, there are a few methods that will do the trick. Position a few wooden traps along the bases of the walls in question. Place the food-baited end facing the wall.
Use peanut butter on the bait rather than poison. The effects of poison are not always immediate, which means mice have time to run back into the walls before dying.
If they die within the walls, you’ll be left with a smelly issue that’s even harder to resolve.