Mice are quite the acrobats. They will swim through sewers, walk on wires, scale flat walls and climb ladders if they want to get somewhere. This is what allowed them to fit so well into human society and find ways to enter our buildings in the search for shelter, warmth and food. So how exactly do these mice get into the home, and how can you prevent it from happening?
How the mice entered the home
Mice have several ways to enter a home, but usually they will look for tiny holes or gaps near your doorways, piping, drain pipes, and air vents among many others. On top of that, they can find these holes at any level of the home, and the hole can be as narrow as the width of a pencil.
Once inside, they will have three main objectives: get warm, build a nest, and find food. The mouse will start its new home by looking for areas that are isolated and warm in the home. This will be the ideal place for the mice to build a nest, and this is the reason why they will often be found behind kitchen appliances, hot water tanks or even in the attic.
The mice will then start to look for sources of food. Mice will start foraging during the night, but as the nest grows, they will become bolder and even forage during the day. Sweets, fats and proteins are at the top of the menu.
Prevention
To prevent the mice from entering the home, you can have certain measures in place. When it comes to doors, make sure that you fit brush strips at the bottom to prevent entry. Mice can also gain entry through damaged roofing, and gaps in the eaves. Food should be stored in sealed plastic or metal containers, and you should clean regularly under cupboards, refrigerators and stoves.
Mice will often enter the home through holes in the exterior wall, especially through holes around pipes and cables. If you can seal these holes, you can deny the mice a lot of entry points. The lawn is another major draw for mice. If the lawn is unkept, the mice will have plenty of shelter and food available.
All these prevention measures can stop a mouse infestation before it even begins, but if the mice are already in the home, you might need the help of a pest control specialist. Contact us today if you have problems with mice.
