If you’re wondering how to keep mice out of your Houston home, one of the most important things is knowing what attracts them in the first place. If they are coming into your house, there may be a few underlying reasons that they are choosing your house over your neighbor. Let’s take a look at what draws mice into your home and what you can do about rodent control in Houston.
Some of the most attractive aspects that attract mice, rats and other rodents to your property are:
1. Trash
Although you might not be interested in the things in your garbage can, mice certainly are. Wild creatures love rummaging through your trash for meals. Keep trash bags and cans as far away from your house as possible so that you aren’t inviting critters near your home. Also, be sure that your trash cans have lids that remain sealed.
2. Clutter
Rodents enjoy the hiding places that inherently come along with clutter. The more items you have strung about, the easier it is for mice to be camouflaged.
See Also: Fall Home Maintenance – Preparing Your Home Against Rodents
3. Crumbs
What may just seem like a tiny little morsel to you can act as a substantial meal for a small mouse. Habitual cleaning up can help a lot in keeping rodents away. Vacuuming, sweeping, and wiping down counters is key to tidying up crumbs and making your house less attractive to rodents.
4. Open Entrances
Mice can find all kinds of different opportunities to enter your home that you might never think of. Some of these are:
- Roof. Utility poles, cables, trees and overgrown shrubbery offer rodents an easy access point to crawl up to the roof looking for holes that will get them into your home.
- Structural Damage. Any type of damage to shingles, roof tiles, or flooring can act as an opening for mice to get inside.
- Floor. When floors are covered in carpet, it can be hard to tell if holes are present. A close inspection of floor and baseboards will help determine if you have any holes or cracks.
- Vents. HVAC vents used for air, heat, or even tumble dryers can function as an entry point for rodents.
- Drain Pipes. Rodents are pretty good swimmers and can find access to your home through sewers and drain pipes.
Rodent Prevention Tips
Follow these prevention tips to keep rodents safely out and away from your home:
- Store Food Properly. As soon as you get home from the grocery store, it is wise to decant your dry goods (flour, sugar, etc.) into rodent proof plastic or glass jars before storing them away in cabinets.
- Clean Up Food Remnants. Be sure to make a habit of wiping, sweeping and vacuuming your home to keep crumbs and other bits of food tidied up.
- Secure doors. Place strips at the bottom of doors to prevent entry of any type of pests. Not only will weather-type stripping keep rodents and bugs out, it also prevents air conditioning and heating from slipping out to help with your energy bill.
- Pipes. Holes around existing or new pipes can make an easy entry point for mice. Seal around them with caulk and coarse grade stainless steel wire wool.
- Seal Holes. Any type of very small hole, such as loose roof shingles or a space between the window and the ledge, can act as an opening for rodents to get through. Holes can also be made in exterior walls for cables and pipes. Be sure to inspect your home regularly and fill in holes.
- Clear Clutter. The fewer items you have scattered in and around your home, the less opportunity rodents will find to hide.
- Get a pet! While some cats actually chase mice, even non-mousing cats and dogs may be just intimidating enough to keep rodents from coming inside.
See Also: [Infographic] Mice Fact or Fiction
No one wants to share their home with mice or other rodents, but there are a few things you can do to keep mice from being attracted to your home. If you already have an infestation, a pest control professional will help you take possession of your home back from pests. For the best in Houston Pest Control, contact Cypress Creek to protect your property against mice and a myriad of other pests.
