Mice can make their way into your home via the tiniest of cracks and once they’re in it can be difficult to get rid of them. But there are some simple ways you can deter them
Winter can bring some unwelcome guests into your home.
Mice tend to be more of a problem in the colder seasons, but luckily there are plenty of simple ways to deter them. Spotting a mouse darting across the floor can certainly give you a shock.
But there could be a reason your home has become a haven for mice – and fortunately, there are several humane methods to tackle the issue. As the temperature falls, mice begin to invade our homes in search of warmth.
Mice, rats and other rodents can squeeze through a hole the size of a penny, making it incredibly easy for them to find an entrance into your home and locate a snug spot to set up their habitat.
Once mice have infiltrated your home, it can be extremely challenging to evict them due to their high reproduction rate, but it’s crucial not to use poison as you’re more likely to harm a loved one or cherished pet than resolve the infestation. Thankfully, pest control experts from CleanKi have offered some solutions.
The key is understanding what the rodent wants – food, warmth and safety, all of which your home provides. In a post shared online, one expert, Paul, provided some top tips on keeping them at bay.
Firstly, ensure your rubbish bins are sealed and the lid is always closed. Similarly, never leave anything containing food, like a bread bin, open. If mice struggle to find food, they’re less likely to be drawn to a home. Paul advised: “Rodents love a free and easy meal. This will often be the thing that first encourages them into your property. If you keep your food sealed and hidden, they won’t be encouraged.”
He also suggested keeping gardens tidy to prevent mice from nesting amongst plants, leaves and grass which can then encourage them to enter homes. “If you have any climbing flowers in your garden, such as climbing roses or English ivy, then try to prevent them from growing near your home. Rodents are excellent climbers and will use plants to access your house. If you do have climbing plants, make sure they don’t reach the roofline – the attic is a great place for a rat or mouse to hide.”
Paul also highlighted the importance of water control, stating: “A rat requires 60 millilitres of water a day – so where possible keep water shut off tightly, both in the home and the garden to discourage them.”
Lastly, he emphasised the need to seal up any small nooks and crannies. “According to me, a rat can enter your home through a crack ‘as small as two-centimetres’ and mice only need an entry point around the size of a pencil’s width. Look around your property for any small areas rodents might be able to access, such as pipes or windows.”
He concluded by advising homeowners to: “Ensure air bricks aren’t broken, check there aren’t gaps around your windows and doors, and fit interceptors to drains, to stop them being used as highways into your house.”
