A Mouse in the House: Non Lethal Ways to Keep Mice at Bay
A mouse infestation is bad news. Not only do they damage food and property, they can also pose a serious health risk. Once one mouse has moved in, before you know it, you'll have fifty and, if nothing is done to address the problem, you face the threat of further infestation from larger rodents such as rats. Pest control solutions that use poison or sprung traps can be harmful and and are risky if you have young children around. Follow these five tips for a safer solution to your mouse problem.
Wire Wool
Mice are extremely flexible and are able to get through the tiniest gaps. If you suspect an infestation, check your property for holes, paying particular attention to gaps around pipes and at the back of cupboards (especially in food storage areas). Plug all holes that you find in walls/ plaster with wire wool. This will stop the mice as they are unable to chew through metal. Another rodent trick is to sneak through gaps under doors. Sometimes just sticking a piece of board to the base of the door is enough to block these routes.
Peppermint Oil
Not only does the smell of peppermint repel mice but it can also disturb the pheromone trails they leave to mark out routes. Sprinkle pure peppermint oil on cotton balls (about five drops per ball) and place around the infested area. You want to hit them with the repellent scent at the point of entry, so focus them around any gaps or holes you think they are using for access.
Cat and Mouse
It's the oldest trick in the book but mice are terrified of cats. If you don't want to purchase a moggie of your own, see if you can borrow a friend's cat for the day. Just the scent is usually enough to keep mice at bay so, if you allow the cat to prowl around your house for an afternoon, it should send those rodents running.
Ultrasonic Repellers
These relatively new plug in devices use sonic technology to emit high frequency sound waves that are heard and hated by mice but are not picked up by human ears. It is recommended that you place them along a favourite mouse route and they should not be blocked by large objects that could disrupt the sound waves.
Squeaky Clean
Mice need a food source. Try to keep all food (especially dry foods such as cereals and bread) in sealed plastic containers. Do not leave any out over night and be sure to wash down all food preparation surfaces regularly to remove tempting crumbs.
Using these top tips should make your home a more hostile environment for roaming rodents. Good luck!