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How to deter mice
The best way to prevent problems with mice in your home or business is to deny them access inside. If they do manage to gain entry indoors, it is important to discourage their presence by denying them easy access to food and water and using effective mouse deterrents.
If you can deter mice you will also reduce the damage they can cause to your property and avoid the health risks associated with exposure to this rodent. Call Rentokil free at 1-877-690-2115 to discuss expert mouse deterrent solutions. Learn how our Year-Round Protection Plan offers guaranteed protection against common house pests.
How to keep mice away
An effective way to prevent mice includes proofing your home or business to keep rodents out. It is important to identify any gaps, not just those near the ground but also those located higher up your building, or on your rooftop, and make sure all are properly blocked.
Mice are very good climbers, able to scale rough, vertical surfaces and walk along thin cables or wires. They have soft skeletons and can fit under a 6 mm gap or through a 10 mm diameter hole.
Additional mouse prevention tips include:
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Food safety - Be careful not to attract mice with food. Where possible food should be stored in plastic or metal containers. Regularly clean under stoves, refrigerators and cupboards.
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Doors - Fit bristle (or brush) strips to the bottom of doors to prevent entry, especially in older properties where the door fit may not be snug.
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Pipework - Seal holes around existing or new pipes with coarse grade stainless steel wire wool and caulking (pliable sealant).
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Holes - These are often made in exterior walls for cables and pipes; check that old pipework holes are sealed too. Any holes that are larger than 0.5cm will allow mice to gain access because their jaws can fit into tight spaces like these, allowing them to quickly chew larger openings through which they can enter a building.
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Vents - Cover these with fine galvanized wire mesh, especially if they are damaged.
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Eaves - Fix damaged roofing and use wire mesh to seal gaps.
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Vegetation - Trim tree branches back from the house and where possible avoid plants growing up the sides of your property. Vines, shrubs or overhanging branches can be used for mice to get onto roofs. Overgrown vegetation close to the walls will offer mice food, shelter and potential nesting sites.
How to deter mice from the yard
Mice near yards are a major threat because they can cause significant damage to flowers, crops, and other plants. As a first step, you’ll want to leave a gap between the building foundations and the yard. This prevents easy access from the yard to your home or business. You can then prevent mice from inhabiting your garden by removing any convenient food sources such as pet food dishes and full garbage bins nearby. Avoiding the use of any straw-like mulch will also discourage mice from making a nesting area in your garden. Similarly, keep the grass mown short to reduce shelter and seeds for food. Once you’ve taken these steps, your pest control Technician can then set up exclusion traps around your property as extra protection.
How to deter mice from the garage
During the colder months, mice go looking for refuge from the harsh weather. This may be in your garage or even your car. Keeping your garage clutter-free and well organised will create fewer areas in which mice can hide. Storing seeds and other edible materials off of the ground in hard-surface containers will keep mice from inhabiting your space. It is also wise to seal up any visible cracks in the garage’s structure as well as remove any hanging tree branches that are touching the roof of the garage.
To keep mice out of your car, make sure there is no food left in your vehicle that might attract mice or other rodents. Additionally, try to avoid leaving your car parked near grassy areas for long periods of time and make sure to regularly inspect your vehicle for signs of mice.
Finally, be sure there are no gaps in your garage or car that are greater than 6 mm, and make an effort to keep all doors closed as much as possible.
Rentokil knows what deters mice
If you are frightened or anxious about the thought of mice in or around your property, Rentokil’s professional deterrent methods offer the best and most reliable solution. Our experts know how to deter mice from a garden as well as how to keep mice away from a commercial facility. For an existing mice infestation, we can provide a quick, guaranteed service to get rid of mice safely from your home or business.
Our Technicians live in the communities they serve, providing expert advice and mouse control that is backed by over 90 years of industry experience. Call Rentokil at 1-877-690-2115 for more professional solutions on how to deter mice.