One of the worst things that can happen in our households is mice infestation. Mice contaminate the surfaces, chew our food, and leave feces all around! Oh, no! Plus, they are carriers of some unpleasant diseases such as the Hantavirus and can trigger other issues like asthma and allergies, particularly in children.
Therefore, it is pivotal to get rid of them timely and prevent them from multiplying!
How to Prevent Mice in Your Home
Search your home thoroughly and remove and fill even the smallest hole, regardless of whether it is in your pipes, walls or floors. Take into account that they can bite through rubber, wood, and plastic and can also squeeze through small spaces.
When renovating your home, make sure you use high quality materials only.
Remember, if there is a hole or a crack which may fit a pencil, fill it up- it can also fit a mouse!
5 Useful DIY Tips to Get Rid of Mice
- Bring a cat
Cats are the best ways to prevent mice in your home because they are natural mice hunters. The best breeds for catching mice are British shorthair, Bengal, and American shorthair.
- Peppermint essential oil
This oil is a good prevention method, but make sure you choose 100 percent pure peppermint oil. You also need a couple of cotton balls. Soak them in the oil and then place them at specific entry points where mice could potentially enter your home. Do not soak them too much in the oil- a small amount will suffice.
What is great about peppermint oil is that it will not just keep the mice away, but it will mask the pheromone trail which they leave behind. This signals other mice to come to the area, but now they will not.
- Moth balls
The scent of moth balls is something mice cannot stand! Therefore, place them all around your house- in the drawers, cupboards, closets, basements, and attics. Change them every month or so to ensure optimal protection.
- Fabric softener sheets
Fabric softeners make excellent mice repellents so fabric softener sheets will not just keep your home smelling fresh all day, but keep those mice at bay. Place them throughout different areas like near the garbage bins and in holes.
- Barn owls
If you live in an area where there are barn owls, mice will be a part of the past. This is because they have the appetite for mice and other rodents. According to some, they can eat up to 4 rodents per night during their nesting season. If you do not have big trees in your yard to attract the owls, create a nesting box. Put it 10 feet from the ground, but also make it reachable for you. Clean it from time to time and wear protective gear as owls may also pose a health risk.
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