A Mouse In The House? Helpful Tips For Rousting This Rodent From Your Home

The common house mouse, otherwise known by its scientific name of Mus Musculus, is a pest that nearly every homeowner will have to do battle with at some point. Because of its extremely small size and its ability to chew through wood, plastic, and many other materials, it is able to easily find or create an opening large enough for entry into homes, garages, barns, and most other structures.

Once inside, a mouse's natural preference for nocturnal activities can mean that humans may not notice their presence until a significant population has developed. If you have noticed a mouse in your home, the following information can help you succeed in rousting these pests from your house. 

Stop providing food 

Mice are fixated on finding nourishment and are willing to eat almost any food that humans have in their homes. In addition, they also like grains, such as those that are used to feed poultry and livestock, as well as kibble used to feed dogs and cats. When they make their way into a home that supplies them with plentiful food and water, they quickly make nests and begin reproducing. 

Homeowners who take time to cut off all possible food sources for these rodents will be more easily able to restore their home to a rodent-free zone. Tips for eliminating access to food sources in your home include: 

• using lidded trashcans and garbage containers 
• keeping supplies of pet kibble in lidded tubs or storage bins
• storing boxed and bagged grocery items in lidded glass or metal containers
• cleaning food preparation and dining areas each night, including making sure that surfaces are wiped down, crumbs are swept up, and dirty dishes are washed or placed inside the dishwasher

Keeping the living areas of your home free of food crumbs and spills by asking family members to refrain from eating in these areas can also help eliminate the food supply that mice depend upon.

Remove nesting materials 

If you have found odd masses of shredded paper in drawers, boxes, behind appliances, and in other secluded areas, you have found further evidence that you are sharing your home with these rodents. To lessen their opportunity to establish nests, homeowners should remove excess clutter, especially newspapers, magazines, and other paper products and periodically check drawers, cabinets, closets, and storage areas for signs of mice. 

To learn more about ridding your home of the common house mouse, as well as rats and other rodents that can do damage to your home and endanger your family by spreading bacteria and disease, contact a reputable mice extermination service in your area.