Last Updated on December, 2024
Doesn’t matter how spotless your place is – sooner or later, you’re bound to deal with rats or mice. Don’t stress; it’s a common problem lots of folks around here face.
Got mice running around? Best to act fast. Those little ones multiply before you know it!
We’ve got all the info you need on spotting and handling a mouse or rat problem. Read on to get sorted!
Quick Summary
- There are various options to get rid of rats and mice, including DIY methods, traps, baits, blocking entry points, using essential oils, and seeking professional help.
- Rat and mouse infestations are common and can quickly multiply, making it important to take quick and efficient action.
- Good sanitation and proper storage of food can help prevent rodents from entering and nesting in your home.
How to Get Rid of Rats and Mice From Your House?
If you have rats and mice infestations, it is important to take action to prevent rodent infestations as quickly as possible. There are many options to prevent rats and mice, and you can choose any solution you prefer according to your comfort and ethics.
To get rid of rats and mice, you can use DIY methods, live catch, non-lethal traps, live traps, bait stations, or even professional help.
Set Mouse Traps
A mouse trap is one of the best options for preventing mice and rats. First, observe where they are in your home so that you can set traps where they linger the most.
Make sure you set traps in the same area but change their locations. Rodents are survivalists, and they know how to face challenging situations. The most important fact about mouse traps is that you have to place traps properly.
There are various types of mouse traps to choose from.
- Snap Trap
- Most people go for snap traps, which are the most common
- Snap traps are ideal for simple mouse infestations. When triggered, a bar snaps down to catch the mice and rats.
- Snap traps are also called spring traps.
- Sticky Trap
- Sticky traps are gluey pads, and the rodents adhere to them as soon as they step on them. The drawback of these glue traps is that you have to kill rodents if they are still alive on the pad or dispose of dead rodents.
- Mind that these are not suitable for large rodents like rats.
- Electric Trap
- Electric traps catch the rats and mice and shock them with electricity. These traps only kill mice and other rodents and are entirely safe for children.
- You can go for an electric trap other than using poison to kill rodents.
Baits
Using bait is one of the other methods to get rid of rodents. You have to be careful enough to use mouse-friendly baits like hazelnut spread, peanut butter, chocolate, oatmeal, bacon and dried fruits. A rat bait is the best if you are into fuss-free mouse and rat hunting.
At the same time, you can use bait stations to get rid of mice. Bait stations are closed plastic boxes that contain substances to kill rodents. Using a bait station is way safer than using other poisons, as the box keeps the mouse and rat killer away from other pets and children.
You can use only bait stations to prevent mice, or you can use a bait station along with the other methods.
Block Entry Points
Block all the places where rodents can enter your home: small gaps, cracks, and openings on outside walls and doors. Rats and mice have the ability to squeeze through tiny spaces to get to your home.
You can use steel wool to fill in the gaps or caulk to seal the cracks. You can also use other rodent-proofing materials such as hardware cloth, perforated metal, sheet metal, weather stripping, and cement.
Cracks, utility pipes, gaps between the floor and doors, and A/C pipes are examples of entry points.
Aromatherapy
Smell plays a huge role when it comes to rats and mice. You can use essential oils to get rid of mice and rats if you are more into harmless and natural ways to chase away rats and mice.
We suggest you use essential oils with a strong odour to deter rats. You can use oils such as peppermint oil and tea tree oil. Essential oils deter mice and rats because they have a strong scent that alters their scent trails.
Dip some oil in cotton balls and keep them where mice and rats linger the most. Make sure you consult your vet first before using any oils if you have other pets at your home.
Cats
We all know that cats and mice have been enemies in the past. If you have a cat in your home, there is less chance of a mouse infestation.
The presence of feline scent repels rats and other mice, who feel threatened by the smell of their natural predators. Outdoor cats and barn cats are perfect to get rid of mice and rats.
Professional Pest Control
If you have tried all the methods mentioned above but still cannot get rid of rats and mice, it is time to seek help from a pest control unit.
We will visit your house to examine the extent of the infestation, discuss the action plan with you, and handle the situation according to the severity of the attack. Pest Controller Bristol always comes up with solutions to eliminate the infestation.
Use Mothballs
You can use mothballs to get rid of rodents. This is a natural and harmless method, but mothballs might be dangerous to humans and animals, especially if you have kids at home. Keep mothballs out of the reach of children and pets.
How to Keep Mice and Rats Away from Your Home?
Once you have rid your house of mice and rats, make it mouse-proof. The following list shows what you need to do to minimise rodent activity.
- Keep the garden clean.
- Remove overgrown bushes, shrubs and tree branches. Keep the grass low.
- Keep wood piles, yard waste, and debris away from your garden.
- Keep pet food away
- If there are any pets, keep their food away in your home since food crumbs easily attract mice.
- Clean the pet food bowls as soon as they finish eating.
- Get rid of places where they can nest and clean all kinds of nesting material, such as off-season blankets and sheets.
- Keep your compost bin out of reach and on a hard surface; otherwise, rodents will burrow from the bottom.
- Use rodent-proof garbage cans and recycle bins.
- Use caps to cover chimneys.
- Good sanitation
- Good sanitation does not keep rodents away, but poor sanitation attracts them to your house.
- Keep your countertops clean by wiping away the crumbs and residues. Even crumbs are enough for rats to survive since they can go for 4-5 days just by eating 4-5g of food. So it is crucial not to leave any food source.
- Do not leave dirty dishes in the sink.
- Store dry food well.
- Fix water leaks.
- Store food in airtight containers.
- Pick up any fallen fruit and vegetables in the garden.
- Trim branches of trees that are too close to the house and roof.
- Patch up cracks, holes, and small gaps in the walls,
Signs of Rat Infestations
Finding out whether your house is rat-infested or not is sometimes confusing. So, let’s talk about some signs of rat infestations.
- Rodent droppings
- Rat and mouse droppings usually look like rice grain, black and small.
- Gnaw marks and burrows
- Vinegary smell
- Fur marks
- Squeaking and scurrying
- Dark urine stains
If you come across these signs, look for rat living spaces such as
- Windmills
- Foundations
- Pipes
- Conduits
- Fence rails
- Electrical wires
- Tree branches
Dangers of Rats and Mice
Rats cause a huge fraction of damage to human beings, mainly health risks and property damage.
Rodents carry diseases like asthma and other allergies. Their urine contains toxic pathogens, and they spread diseases like Hantavirus and Weil’s disease. Besides, they spread foodborne illnesses. At the same time, they carry fleas and ticks as well.
One of the other major rodent problems is damaging the property. They damage furnishings and internal structures. Besides, they chew through electrical wires.
Why Do Rodents Get Attracted to Your House?
Rodents, such as brown rats and house mice, tend to nest in houses. Mice are attracted to houses mainly for feeding and shelter. They look for steady food sources and crawl spaces to nest on.
First, they start from your garden, and then they find ways to get inside your house. They seek dark and secluded places like behind cupboards, refrigerators, and attics.
Rats can go for over a month without water. When they need it, they reach drains, pet water dishes, pipes, and sinks.
Can I Use Poison to Get Rid of Rodents?
Yes, you can use a poison bait to minimise mice, but it is not considered a good option. There are a few reasons why you should not use poison. Using poison is not safe enough, as pets and children can be exposed to poison.
Also, rats run away and die. It is hard to find dead rats, and it might cause a bad smell. You can accidentally harm other innocent animals as well.
How Can I Clean the Places Where Rodents Have Been?
First, you must wear protective gear before you start cleaning. Then, open all the windows and doors to ventilate the area, allowing fresh air to circulate.
Wipe everywhere with a household disinfectant. You can make a home disinfectant by mixing one part bleach with ten parts water.
Other useful guides:
FAQs
Conclusion
Mouse infestation is an issue for all. Preventing rats is a process that takes time. Follow all the above methods and tricks to have a house without these little creatures.
