The best way to keep mice and rats away from your home
Mice and rats are the banes of anyone who keeps food in their kitchen or garage or has lots of organic matter to attract them around their home. It’s easy to understand why these pests are so problematic: they’re small, can squeeze through tiny spaces, and are excellent at hiding from you when you’re trying to find them. Fortunately, there are ways to permanently keep mice and rats out of your home.
1. Check the house
The best time to check is at dusk, when it gets quiet and dark. Using a flashlight, shine a light on potential mouse locations, as well as look for telltale signs such as poop, or small pieces of paper.
2. Sanitize the area
Okay, you found evidence of mice. Is it time to get into a panic? Definately not.
Make sure every entry point is clean, and very clean. That you didn’t leave any leftover food and you definitely didn’t leave any pet food. Mice will eat and contaminate both human and animal food. Once you have made sure that there is no source of discarded food, do a thorough cleaning.
3. Put aluminum foil in places where mice can enter
One of life’s great mysteries (and one we didn’t know until recently) is that mice keep their distance from aluminum foil. Of course, using aluminum foil doesn’t look so good, but it will definitely keep the mice away. It is ideal for covering holes in storage or wrapping food.
4. The catch and release mousetrap
It is much easier to assemble than people think. All you need are materials you already have at home. Watch the video below for more details:
5. Cotton balls and peppermint oil
Dip cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them strategically in areas of the house where you suspect mice. Rodents don’t like the smell of peppermint, and your house will smell wonderful (unlike garlic and cayenne pepper rat repellants).
6. Baking soda powder
So we realized that rodents don’t like things with strong smells. Sprinkle some baking soda powder anywhere you see signs of mouse poop.
If you have pets at home, put the baking soda in a container with a small hole, or in a place where the pets can’t reach it.
7. Bars of soap
permint oil, the strong smell of the soap is another way to keep rodents away.
Place bars of soap near doors, windows and other openings. As long as the soap has a strong smell it will do the job.
8. Dryer sheets
Another option is to put dryer sheets with strong smell in small crevices and openings. The strong smell will keep the rodents away. Don’t forget to change them from time to time to ensure that the strong smell remains!
