Nothing is worse than seeing a flash of movement out of the corner of your eye and spotting a mouse scurrying around your home.
Not only can it be alarming to see a rodent but it is important to try and get rid of mice as soon as spot them as they will begin breeding in spring and can quickly turn into an infestation.
John Stewart, a member of the technical team at Pelsis UK, a sustainable pest prevention specialist, has shared that mice will only stay inside a place where they have access to food.
He said: “Once they’ve found a suitable space with access to food and water, they can quickly establish themselves, making it essential to address any potential issues as soon as possible.”
John added: “Store food in sealed containers and keep them in high cupboards, out of reach of mice. It’s also important to ensure that rubbish bags are placed in secure bins to deny mice any further food sources.”
It may seem obvious but mice have highly sensitive noses and will be able to sniff out food or even a couple of crumbs if you do not store food away from them.
Make sure to store cereal, rice and pet food in heavy containers with tight lids so there is no way mice can chew fresh them.
Keep fruits and vegetables inside the fridge instead of on the countertop while you are dealing with this pest problem, or use an airtight container for produce you have to keep at room temperature.
Do not leave out pet food overnight and make sure to always clean up quickly after your cat or dog has eaten as this is a simple way mice can have access to food.
Also, check for any forgotten snacks such as in backpacks or for crumbs underneath couch cushions as leftover crumbs will attract mice.
Cutting off a mouse’s food supply is the quickest way to make sure they become discouraged and become more likely to look for somewhere else to seek shelter.
The next step when dealing with mice is to look for places they may be coming in from. Make sure to check all the dark corners of your home for where they might be nesting.
John said: “Look for droppings, gnaw marks and shredded materials that may indicate nesting activity.
“Common hiding spots for mice include attics, under kitchen units, and behind appliances.”
Once you have found out where the mice are running off to then you can call a professional, set up traps or use alternative natural methods to get rid of them for good.
However, in the meantime, it is important to remain calm, keep your home clean and remove any tempting food scents to ensure mice scatter somewhere else.
John said: “Mice are incredibly resourceful, so staying vigilant and acting at the first signs of an infestation is key to protecting your home.”
