Are Mouse Traps & Other Do-It-Yourself Rodent Control Products Effective?
If you have a sneaking suspicion that your home has been infested by mice and are considering running out to arm yourself with mouse traps and other DIY rodent control products – wait! While we’re not saying they won’t work, the answer is more nuanced. Read on and we’ll explain what we mean.
Are you seeing signs of mouse activity?
We’re going to discuss DIY rodent control in just a second but before we do, let’s talk about why you suspect there are rodents afoot. You probably have good reason to believe your home is infested, after all, watching a live mouse scurrying along the edge of the garage is proof positive. Of course, a mouse infestation is not always as obvious as we’d like it to be and you may have to be a bit of a detective. If you’re pretty sure but not completely certain you have a mouse in the house, look for these signs of mice:
Small, dark droppings that are shaped similar to grains of rice with pointed ends
Gnaw marks in cardboard boxes, furniture, insulation, drywall, and just about anything mice can access
Nests and/or nesting materials that were pilfered from around your home
In addition to the signs your eyes detect, you might hear mice. Of course, mice are primarily nocturnal critters so you’re more likely to hear scratching noises and squeaking coming from inside your walls and overhead in the ceiling at night. You know, just as you lay your head down to get some restful shut-eye…
There’s plenty of DIY rodent control options on the market
You may or may not be surprised to know that when it comes to DIY rodent control products, the market is flooded. For example, there are several types of mouse traps including snap traps, humane traps, electronic traps, and glue traps. There are mouse baits, mouse buckets, mouse repellent, chemicals… we could probably go on but you get the point.
Why mouse traps and DIY rodent control products aren’t always effective
While there are plenty of options for getting rid of mice, they often fail because they only capture a mouse or two. Unfortunately, catching a single mouse or even a few does not solve the mouse problem. You see, where there’s one, there’s typically a lot more and if you’re not addressing the root cause(s) behind an infestation, mice will continue to invade.
DIY products can also be hazardous to people and pets
Before we concentrate on mouse-proofing your home to stop this common pest problem, we’d like to caution property owners. You see, rodenticides and other DIY products, when mixed or used improperly, can jeopardize the health and safety of people and pets. Following the labels’ directions to a tee can minimize risks but it’s risky nonetheless.
Finding and correcting the causes behind a mouse (or rat) problem
In order to effectively eliminate mouse or rodent activity in or around your home, you must identify the conditions that are attracting rodents, locate potential entry points, and then focus on pest-proofing your home inside and out.
Mice, like us, need food, water, and shelter to survive. And like us, they can find all three things in Maine homes. You may not even realize that your home is attracting mice but make no mistake, a gap under the garage door or a gap near the foundation is all a mouse needs to slip inside.
Once they’re inside, they’ll raid your pantry, snatch pet food and seeds stored out in the garage, and gather other foodstuffs wherever they can find it. Water too!
A few mice prevention tips for your consideration
If you’d prefer to keep mice out of your home this winter and really all year long, you’ll need to make sure that it’s fortified like Fort Knox (not the one in Bucksport, mind you). To that end, we recommend the following prevention tips:
Seal all openings including gaps around utility wires and pipes
Install a chimney cap
Cover vents with durable mesh that can withstand rodent teeth
Trim back trees and bushes so that they do not touch the roof or side of your home
Keep your yard free of clutter
Fix moisture issues including leaking pipes and/or appliances
Clear clogged gutters and make sure downspouts divert water away from the house
Use outdoor trash receptacles that have tight-fitting lids
Store holiday decorations and other items in plastic bins with secure lids
Organize the garage, attic, and basement to eliminate potential hiding spots
Do not store firewood on the porch or touching your house- it should be several feet away and off the ground
How to solve the existing mouse problem
If your guess is correct and you’re dealing with uninvited houseguests, we recommend contacting a pest control company that specializes in rodent control. Here at Advanced Pest Solutions, we offer effective home pest control services in Manchester, Gardiner, and Camden as well as throughout our entire service area. You can count on our locally owned and operated pest control company to eliminate existing mouse activity and prevent future pest problems. If you’re ready to stop mice from taking over, simply request a free estimate or give us a call!