Got an Infestation of Mice? Learn how to get rid of mice in your home now!
Winter is a popular time for mice to become active inside your home, as rodents will move indoors to search for food and warmth once temperatures drop. We’ll usually see an uptick in mouse activity in the fall that continues through the winter months, especially in communities like Springfield, Hartford, and other surrounding cities in Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut. There are plenty of preventative measures you can take to keep mice out, but what should you do if they’ve already gotten in? Luckily for you, we’ve got tips on how to get rid of mice FOR GOOD!
How to Get Rid of Mice in Your Home
- Set your traps. The wooden snap traps reign supreme when it comes to mouse control indoors, and are consistently the most effective method when combined with quality baits. Most people underestimate mice infestations, so it may be a good idea to use more traps and baits than you think are necessary. Additionally, using glue traps in conjunction with snap traps is a good strategy as the mice could become wary of one type of trap.
- Use a combination of tasty baits in your traps! Mice will gladly overlook old cheese on a trap if they have access to a better meal in your cabinets. Try a combination of any of the following:
- peanut butter
- hot dogs
- chewy candies, such as gumdrops
- pungent cheeses
- nuts and seeds
- Pet food, such as wet dog food
Don’t use too much bait, or the mice may nibble on it without setting off the trap.
- Try an interior bait station. You may have heard about the effectiveness of exterior bait stations, but did you know they make models that are safe for indoor use? These products still contain poisonous bait, however, so it’s best to use caution when handling and placing them, or leave it up to the professionals.
- Enlist the help of the mouse’s natural enemy!. Many cats love to hunt mice, and many farms use barn cats to control mice populations on their land. Of course, not all cats are hunters, and most cat owners don’t want their pet being exposed to the potential diseases that mice carry. With all that said, a good mouser is one family member that earns its keep!
Prevention is Key
As always, the best way to keep mice out is to prevent them from getting inside in the first place, so be sure to seal any spots where they could be coming in. Popular entry points that invite mice in include areas where utility pipes enter the home, foundation gaps, vents, chimneys, windows and doors, cracked siding or wood fascia, and damaged screens. They also like to hang out in wood piles or other structures up against the outside of your home.
Of course, feel free to give Graduate a call if you need help handling an infestation of furry marauders.
