As we head into winter in Arkansas, the temperature is already dropping and we’re all just looking for ways to stay warm. This applies to pests – especially rodents – as much as it does to any homeowner in the area. If you have openings around your property that are even as small as 5mm across, mice can easily squeeze through to get in your property. Mice may look cute, but they’re messy creatures that can damage your property and spread disease. If there are mice in your house, Delta Pest Control has a team of trained rodent exterminators that can eradicate an infestation of any size or scope. But what would save both of us a lot of trouble is if you never got a rodent infestation in the first place. While DIY pest control is not as effective as professional pest control, if you’re not ready to call an exterminator yet, here are some strategies and tools you can try to keep your holidays pleasant, peaceful, and pest-free.
Natural Mice Deterrents
Many homeowners prefer DIY mouse deterrents that are non-toxic and easy to implement. Here are four popular ways to try to keep away mice using things you may already have around the house:
- Peppermint Oil: Peppermint has a strong smell which mice, as a whole, do not enjoy. Because of that, you can apply drops of the oil to cotton balls and leave them around any suspected entry points to keep them from getting in. You can even create a safety barrier by planting mint along the exterior of your property!
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This is another smell that mice hate. You can mix it with vinegar and spray it around potential entry points, as well as along the perimeter of your house, once a month to maintain the repellent factor.
- Fabric Softener Sheets: Mice cannot stand the smell of fabric softener sheets. If you find any openings you think may be entry points, stuff one of the sheets inside.
- Steel Wool: Mice have powerful incisors that can chew through many materials. However, studies have shown that they are incapable of biting through steel wool. So if you cover potential entry points with the material, it’ll effectively block their entrance into your home.
Mice Prevention Habits
Possibly the biggest determining factor of getting a mouse infestation is whether or not your home makes an appealing habitat for passing rodents. Mice want what any mammal wants when it’s cold out: food, shelter, and warmth. If you have that, they’ll hunt for any way they can get in and stay there. In that fashion, mice prevention in winter is something that should be started well before that first snow falls. Let’s go into the habits you can form to keep rodents from being attracted to your property:
- Regularly inspect the inside of your home for signs of mice
- Find all possible entry points and seal or close them off
- Keep your food sealed, stored and put away
- Clear out clutter from inside and outside your home
If there isn’t easy access to food or a quiet and dark place to nest in, mice won’t want to stay long. And if that’s not enough, when you take these steps, you’ll find that your home is also cleaner and generally more pleasant to live in.
Delta Pest Control: When Natural Doesn’t Cut It
Sometimes you can do everything right and still wind up with rodents in your home. That’s okay! If you live in Arkansas, you’re protected by the premiere pest control champions of the entire state. We’ve been providing extermination services for homes and businesses in our area since 1976, and since then we’ve built up the experience you need for a job done right. You don’t need to share your home with pesky ants, creepy spiders, or scurrying rats and mice. Whatever the pest is and however many there are, our technicians are ready to work on your behalf. Want to know more? Contact us today to get started!
