Mice can create several problems in your home, includingsmell, mess, damage, and sanitation issues.
The activity and evidence left behind by mice can easily be confused with other animals, especiallyratsandbats.
What Do Mice Look Like?
The Spruce / Paige McLaughlin
Mice are small, quick animals that are well-adapted to living in tight spaces andsqueezing through small openings.
They also tend to have large ears and a narrow snout.
Mice and rat control should be handled differently.
Remove Their Cover
Mice are good at hiding.
A good rule of thumb?
Leave at least 18" clear around your foundation.
Rodents are very good at squeezing into small spaces.
This is especially true for mice.
Remember, you’re looking for any gaps the size of a dime or larger.
Use your mechanic’s mirror to look underneath where the siding meets the foundation of your house.
If there are gaps in this space, mice can easily climb into your crawlspace.
Place traps inside, in the areas where you have sealed up entry points.
If you are not certain whether you’re dealing with mice or rats, don’t place snap traps.
Snap traps are size specific.
Just be sure to wear gloves.
Traps can be dangerous, especially for pets and curious little fingers.
Just keep in mind that hearing animals in the walls or ceiling doesn’t mean you have mice.
Droppings can indicate the size of the animal that left them.
Larger droppings belong to bigger animals like rats and raccoons.
Smaller droppings could be from a mouse or bat.
To identify the animal, squish the sample between your fingers.
Bat droppings crumble while mouse and rat droppings squash flat.
What Causes Mice in the House?
Also understand that if there are gaps around your home that remain unsealed, rodents can easily find them.
Check the bottom of your garage door if you see mouse or rat droppings in your garage.
Rodents often chew out the rubber garage door sweeps at the corners to make an entrance.
Replace the damaged garage door sweep with a steel one to keep rodents from chewing through it.
Don’t get discouraged if you’re still having a hard time after attempting these methods.
Controlling mice naturally can be tricky, even for the most seasoned professionals.
Spray foam is not the right tool for sealing rodents out of your home.
Rodents can chew through it very quickly, meaning more work for you in the long run.
In fact, research proves that certain oils applied daily are more effective than rodent repellants.
Contrary to trending beliefs, dryer sheets are not an effective tool against mice.
Diseases from Rodents.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
National Ladder Safety Month is Here Here is what you better know to stay safe when working with ladders.
Thind, Ramandeep Kaur.Potential of Eucalyptus Oil as Repellent against House Rat,Rattus rattus.
The Scientific World Journal.vol.
