The 9 Most Effective Ways To Keep Mice Out Of Your Home And Garden
Mice are some of the most persistent and unwanted guests in homes and gardens. They can get in almost anywhere by squeezing through cracks or nibbling their way in. Luckily, you can try a few simple tricks to keep these pesky rodents out of your home and garden.
1. Seal Entry Points
When you want to keep these little guys out, the first place to start is to seal possible entry points. Checking your home for potential entry points can be challenging, but sealing up the most apparent areas is a great place to start. Ensure to check areas where pipes enter your home and repair any gaps with expandable foam or concrete.
2. Keep A Clean Home
Mice are drawn to easy access to food and water sources, so ensuring they have nothing they can nibble on will go a long way. Avoid leaving pet food out overnight, as it can be an easy meal for rodents. Keeping your home clutter-free can also help stop mice from finding refuge in a mess. The fewer hiding places they have, the better.
3. Try Using Natural Repellent
Mice have a strong sense of smell and are sensitive to certain scents, like peppermint, eucalyptus, and cloves. You can make your natural mouse repellent by soaking cotton balls in your scent of choice and placing them in areas where mice are likely to come into the house. Another option is to sprinkle crushed garlic or cinnamon around your garden or inside your home.
4. Maintain Your Garden
A tidy garden is a great place to keep mice at bay. Overgrown plants, tall grass, and piles of leaves or mulch make for ideal hiding spots and nesting areas for mice. Regularly trim shrubs, hedges, and grass, especially near the foundation of your house, to remove potential shelter. Clear away any fallen leaves or debris, and store firewood away from your home, as it can attract mice seeking warmth and shelter.
5. Use Proper Food Storage Containers
Mice are great at finding foods that aren’t stored properly. To keep mice away, store food in airtight containers. Avoid cardboard boxes or plastic bags, as mice can easily chew through them. Make sure that your pantry shelves are organized, and regularly check for any signs of food spills.
6. Encourage Natural Predators
It won’t do any harm to encourage natural predators of mice to make your home their home. Consider installing an owl box in your garden to create a safe place for owls to nest.
7. Adopt A Cat
Cats are natural hunters and have an instinctive drive to chase and catch small rodents. Their presence alone can be a strong deterrent, as mice tend to avoid areas where they sense predators. Even if your cat isn’t an active hunter, the scent of a cat in the area can make mice think twice before entering your home.
8. Use Ultrasonic Repellents
Ultrasonic devices emit high-frequency sounds that humans can’t hear, but mice find them intolerable. These devices can help deter mice from entering your home by creating an uncomfortable environment. Remember that some people report mixed results, so trying them along with a few other methods is a good idea.
9. Take Your Trash Out Often
Mice will eat almost anything, which means that your garbage is an all-you-can-eat buffet. Store all trash in sealed, sturdy bins with tight-fitting lids to avoid attracting rodents. It’s also a good idea to keep trash bins away from entry points like doors or windows to reduce the chances of mice being lured inside.
References:
10 Ways to Get Rid of Mice Naturally
How to Keep Mice Out of Your House
The 5 Best Ways to Get Rid of Mice (And Keep Them Out)