So you’ve got a mouse problem and you want sympathy. If you have mice in your home, it’s because you are feeding them and making life comfortable for them indoors. Don’t try to deny it. You know there are plenty of crumbs in corners, under the refrigerator, and under the couch, probably water leaks or pet bowls available for drinking, and lots of dark, cozy, cushy places to build nests. Once mice move into your welcoming home for the winter, they’re not leaving alive.

Yes, our pro team at Colonial can take care of the mice that you have now, but do yourself a favor and take the steps needed to help keep mice out the next time. Your home won’t look so attractive to mice if you make it hard for them to find the essential food, water, and shelter that they require.

Make Life Difficult for Mice

• Reduce or eliminate all possible food and water available to mice. Think small, like a mouse – they don’t require much.
• Store all loose or bulk foods (dry pet food, birdseed, grass seed, grains, etc.) in glass, metal, or heavy plastic rodent-proof containers that mice can’t gnaw into.
• Keep both indoor and outdoor garbage cans tightly covered, take indoor garbage out every night, and empty outdoor garbage containers at least twice a week.
• Promptly remove leftover food not eaten by pets at feeding time.
• Check for forgotten food in desk drawers, bedside tables, and similar sites.
• Continually clean up all crumbs and spills in the kitchen, and never leave leftover food or dirty dishes sitting out, especially overnight.
• Keep stovetops clean and frequently clean under and behind stoves and refrigerators. Clean out stove pan drawers.
• Frequently clean the space under bottom drawers in kitchen cabinets and organize the under sink cabinet.
• Try not to take food into rooms other than the kitchen. We know this isn’t going to happen, so vacuum places where your family regularly snacks and spills.
• Don’t store cans, bottles, etc. for recycling inside the house.
• Promptly repair all water leaks.
• Remove stacks of papers, plastic sacks, cardboard boxes, and other stored items where mice could nest.
• In attics, garages, and basements, store boxes up off of the floor.
• Caulk and seal openings around doors, pipes, conduits, lines, vents—any openings mice can use to get inside.

These actions will not only make life tough for mice, but will also deter cockroaches, ants, and many other indoor pests that want to make your home their home.

Want to learn more about mice & rats?

Download our free e-book Identifying and Removing Mice & Rats From Your Home!