House Mouse
House Mouse–Control
The number one way to control house mice is by following a comprehensive approach. This means using multiple methods together to be as effective as possible. Keep mice out of your house with this proactive, 3-step routine: trap, repel, and monitor.
Trap
The first step to effectively controlling house mice in and around your property is to use mouse traps. There are a few types of traps to choose from when it comes to getting rid of mice: Snap Traps, Live Traps, and Electronic Traps.
The most important technique for effective trapping is good trap placement. Be sure to place traps in areas where you’ve seen signs of high rodent activity. The most common trapping mistake is not using enough traps. Statistics show that more mice are trapped on the first night than on any other night. For this reason, it is essential to use many traps when you first begin tackling an infestation. Place them every few feet along mouse runways.
Repel
Repellents are the second part of effective house mouse control. Ultrasonic mouse repellers use high-frequency sound to drive away rodents. Ultrasonic frequencies do not travel between walls, so ultrasonic units need to be placed in multiple rooms for effective control. Scent mouse repellents use scents that mice find unpleasant or overpowering, such as peppermint oil, to naturally drive mice away.
The most common repellent mistake is using them alone to control an established infestation. Repellents should be used in conjunction with traps as well as sanitation and rodent-proofing efforts. Once an infestation is under control, continuing using the devices to prevent mice from coming back.
Monitor
Finally, monitor your home to keep house mice from returning. Rodent populations will continue to increase in conditions that allow easy access to food and shelter. Combining sanitation and rodent proofing efforts provide the best solution to reduce or eliminate these conditions. Use Live Traps to monitor for signs of new infestations, so you can take action before the problem becomes more serious.
To adequately keep mice out of your home, seal off all openings. Mice only need an opening of 1/4" (the size of a dime) to gain entry to your home. In addition to exclusion, careful storage of foods and elimination of clutter are valuable steps in the fight to control mice.
