Get out of my house!

Mice Be Gone! Ways to Rid Your Home of Rodent Pests

11 August 2017 by Devon Perez

In the right setting mice can be delightfully cute and furry critters. Indeed, they make wonderful pets for many people. However, the right setting isn't usually having mice running loose around your house, chewing their way through your possessions and spreading dirt and disease.

If you find yourself in this situation, what can you do? The unfortunate fact is that for every mouse you spot there are probably several more lurking behind the scenes, so any infestation may be more serious than it first appears, requiring professional pest control assistance. Nonetheless, there are several methods you can use to try and deal with a problem before it gets out of control.

Mousetraps

Mousetraps are a traditional solution, beloved of cartoons and slapstick movies. They're easy to set and usually are effective if used properly. However, they have several drawbacks: they can be dangerous for pets and children, they're not always a particularly humane solution, and they're not for the squeamish, as you'll need to remove the victims by hand on a regular basis.

Laying Down Poison

Using poison would be a last resort for most people. The dangers to children and pets are even greater than with mousetraps, and the risks aren't confined to your home. It's quite possible for an inexpertly poisoned mouse to be caught and eaten by wildlife or a neighbor's pet before dying, meaning your toxins might claim unintended victims. Another drawback is that poisons can be inhumane if used wrongly, leading to a long and painful death for the mouse.

Feline Friends

A fully natural and effective answer to a mouse problem is to take a cat as a pet. However, not everyone is a fan of felines, and there's no guarantee you'll adopt an efficient mouser rather than a lazy furball. If you do decide to get a cat, don't mix this solution with laying down poison!

Natural Repellents

Even if you're not keen on using poisons, you can still use a repellent method, although your success rate will vary. Many people find that their home's mouse population is discouraged by strong natural smells, such as those produced by peppermint oil, cloves, or mothballs. However, this technique is far from guaranteed, and you may find the odors irritate you more than they do your invaders.

Call in the Professionals

If none of these tactics seem to work, it's probably time to call in a professional pest control service. They will be able to use their expertise and experience to safely rid your home of mice and other rodents, using humane trapping or carefully controlled poisons. Just as importantly, they can offer advice on how to mouse-proof your home to stop repeat invasions in the future. They may cost a little more at first than DIY solutions, but will work out much cheaper, more effective, and far less stressful in the long run.

Live and let live is a fine ideal, but when it comes to rodents in the home most people draw the line. At the first sign of trouble, try some of these methods to deal with the problem yourself, but for a safe, effective, and permanent solution consider hiring a professional.

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