The experience has taught me thatanyhome can become potential nesting grounds for rodents.
Theyre just looking for a safe spot that offers warmth and food.
While thats great for them, its frustrating and unsanitary for us.
Heres what to do about it.
Most people dont even realize they have mice until things get really bad.
The most obvious signs of a mouse problem are droppings, whichlook like this.
(Ill never look at chocolate sprinkles or caraway seeds the same way again.)
Disinfect the area afterward, and throw away food that mightve been contaminated.
The last thing you want is to get sick at the same time you discover an infestation.
You may hear scratching in your walls or attic or the pitter-patter of tiny little feet at night.
And yes, they smell bad.
Any or all of these signs means youve got a potential infestation on your hands.
The good news is that getting rid of mice is simple in principle.
The bad news is that it could take alotof work or money.
Start by mouse-proofing your home
Getting rid of mice is not easy.
They can squeeze through tiny cracks and gaps that are smaller than the circumference of your pinky finger.
Basically, if you could fit a pencil into a hole, a mouse can probably fit, too.
They are very skilled contortionists.
The first step is to inspect the outside of your home to find possible places mice can squeeze through.
Check stairs, the foundation, the corners and any place that might hide small crevices.
When you find anything that can possibly be an entryway, close it off withwire mesh.
For inside the house, you might use steel wool and caulk to plug up any holes you find.
Mice can chew through practically any material except steel.
In my experience, using a wire mesh wherever possible has been most effective.
Youll need to do this foranythingresembling a hole.
That includes cracks and gaps along the ceiling and even those high up on a wall.
Just assume that these tenacious creatures can reach anywhere in your house.
Set traps around the house
As they say, the best offense is a solid defense.
Youve cut off all possible points of entry into your home to prevent more mice from getting in.
Next you have to deal with the ones that are already nice and comfortable insideby setting traps.
This part the cartoons got right, butmouse trapsare a little more complicated than that.
If you are a softie, you might also investigateno-kill humane traps.
(Mice know whats delicious.)
The location and position of the trap:Where you place the traps is vital.
Mice are actually very careful and clever creatures.
The CDC recommends placing traps perpendicular to a wall (forming a T).
This was the mistake my parents made.
This article goes over somegreat tips on finding and talking to a professional.
Be wary of companies that recommend poison from the get-go.
It may be initially effective, but it doesntguaranteesuccess.
Even after a professional has visited, a mouse infestation isnt a problem that goes away overnight.
This story was originally published in September 2016 and updated in August 2020.
