The temperature will drop this week with winter snapping at our heels, and many Britons will be keen to head indoors and batten down the hatches.
Unfortunately, rodents can often have the same idea – meaning many will find unwanted guests in their home this winter.
While mice can visit your home any time of year, they may decide to seek warmth during the cooler months – meaning there’s every reason to mouse-proof your home this winter.
And, with the rodents likely to reproduce in a very short space of time – it could be important to act fast.
So, how do you get rid of mice in your house?
There are a number of ways you can deal with mice infestations at home.
1. Eliminate entry points
Once a mouse has entered your house, it will likely find food, water, and shelter – meaning it may not show many signs of leaving.
By reducing access points, such as small holes or cracks in your walls, you may be able to avoid mice entering your home in the first place.
As well as sealing up holes in your skirting boards, ensure the sweep on your door is fully attached – so when the door is closed, it should create a seal against the threshold.
2. Purchase mouse traps
Whether you opt for humane mouse traps or wooden snap traps, catching mice with these tools is undoubtedly the best way to catch rodents in your home.
If you do opt for a catch and release trap, it’s important that you regularly check to see if a mouse has made its way inside.
Not doing so can actually end up causing a very uncomfortable experience for the creatures – as well as it being potentially fatal.
Lay plenty of any traps you buy around your home, and depending on your view on traps, it may be worth considering investing in a number of types.
3. Choose the right bait
Cheese may be widely considered to be a favourite choice for mice – but that doesn’t mean it’s the only food they enjoy.
In fact, the website Mousetrapx.com has produced a lengthy list of the best mouse baits – with seeds, chocolate, non-toxic mouse pellets, and peanut butter all making the list.
The latter has been recognised as a number one choice for catching mice, so it may be worth placing a small amount in your traps.
4. Pick the right place
While you may easily spot a mouse trap in the middle of the room, it’s unlikely that a mouse will risk paying it a visit.
The animals tend to keep to the perimeter of rooms, so position the traps close to walls, with the bait and trigger end placed facing the wall.
5. Keep it sanitary
Spring cleaning your home won’t necessarily get rid of mouse, but it can stop them being attracted to the area.
According to the website Terminix, the animals can survive on just three to four grams of food per day – so wiping down counters and vacuuming up crumbs is very important.
What’s more, food in your cupboard isn’t automatically safe either – so make sure you limit their food sources by storing your goods in airtight containers, as well as securing your food bins.
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