There’s nothing more annoying than having mice in your home or cottage. Aside from the mess and damage they leave behind, recent studies at Columbia University suggest 1 in 4 mice carry potentially life-threatening diseases such as E. coli, C. difficile, and Salmonella.
When it comes to mice, the best offence is a good defence, so here are 7 tips on keeping them out:
1) Do an exterior inspection
Identify possible penetration points around your home’s foundation, utility conduits, AC units, attic exhaust vents, screens, windows, and doors. Make a list of any gaps or crack and where you found them.
2) Seal easy access points
Seal access points with permanent products such as cement. Mice can find their way into your home through dryer vents, wiring pipes, drainage pipes, gaps in foundations, cracks in walls, gaps in windows, and ceilings. They’re capable of fitting through holes as small as a dime!
3) Get rid of old bird seed and clear branches
Remove old bird seed from your yard and keep bird feeders a good distance away from your home. Clear any branches that are close to the house as a mouse could easily climb up to get onto your roof or through a window.
4) Landscape around your home or cottage
Landscape the perimeter by cutting the grass and keeping it clear of unwanted vegetation. Installing crushed rock a few feet from the exterior of the building will help discourage pest entry, too.
5) Weatherproof windows and doors
All doors and windows must close tight and properly. Install door sweeps on your garage door as mice will chew away weather stripping around the bottom of doors that face outside. Weatherproofing will also help lower your utility bills.
6) Store food in tightly shut containers
Use glass or metal containers with a tight lid to store food in your home or cottage. Once a mouse finds a food source it’s less likely to venture back outside.
7) Get rid of food waste
Don’t wait to bring the trash outside. Dispose of any leftover food as soon as a member of your household is finished eating. The less food waste kept inside your home or cottage, the better.
