Most pests in our area leave signs of their presence when they invade. Mice are no exception. These small home-invading rodents are often difficult to detect right away, but there are a few key signs that may indicate you have an infestation on your hands. Some signs of a mouse infestation include:
Gnaw marks on furniture and property. Mice must chew in order to wear down their ever-growing front incisors.
Droppings. Mice droppings are small, cylindrical, and black in color. These droppings are often found in cabinets, drawers, attics, and basements.
Rustling and sounds of movement in your walls, especially at night. Mice are nocturnal, and they sometimes create noises in walls and ceiling as they run around searching for food.
Rub marks on baseboards and furniture. Mice are not the cleanest creatures and will often track dirt, grime, and grease into a Quad Cities home.
Why DIY Mouse Prevention is a Mistake
Many homeowners make the mistake of opting for DIY mouse prevention methods. While some of these natural home remedies are useful, they aren’t effective against rodents on a long-term basis.
Peppermint oil. This method involves placing the scent of peppermint along doorways, suspected entry points, cabinets, and other areas mice might invade. Like many animals, mice are not fond of this strong scent, and will avoid it if possible. This DIY mouse-prevention method may work temporarily, but these scents fade over time and mice could become desensitized to the smell if they are exposed to it long enough.
Used kitty litter. Mice are cautious pests. If mice can smell cat urine, they’ll choose to avoid areas they suspect cats live. Placing used kitty litter around doorways and entry points might deter mice from invading. Again, this can work, however, this method is not always effective.
Onions. Like peppermint oil, mice hate the smell of onions. Unfortunately, onions rot if they are left out for several days, so they must be replaced frequently.
Rodent Prevention You Can Trust
Natural home remedies are not the best way to defend your Quad Cities home against invasive mice. However, these mice prevention tips are more useful:
Seal up cracks in your foundation.
Store food in airtight containers.
Keep garbage cans closed.
Remove clutter from your home and lawn.
If you find a mouse infestation in your Quad cities home, it’s important that you don’t attempt to handle it on your own. Mice can be dangerous to you, your property, and your health. These small rodents damage furniture, contaminate food products, and spread harmful diseases. Protect your property from rodents with a little help from the professionals here at Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators. We have a wide variety of home pest control services, including rodent control. For more information about how we deal with mouse infestations, reach out to Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators today.