What Household Tricks Will Keep Mice and Rats Far, Far Away?
There’s a Scratching Noise in My Wall. What Should I Do?
If you’ve noticed some strange sounds in and around your house, there are a few different critters that could be the culprit. It might be anything from a bat or bird to a raccoon, squirrel, rat, or mouse. Quieter scratching noises are a sign that your visitor is a mouse or a rat.
If the mere sound of a mouse scurrying by makes you jump, you may be interested in some household tricks for mice and rats. Mice can be tough to locate since they’re small, quiet and can squeeze through tight spots. Pinpointing their hiding spot is a great way to start your quest towards a rodent-free home.
Common Hiding Places for Rats and Mice
- Wall voids
- Closets
- Storage boxes
- Kitchen cupboards
- Crawlspaces
- Garages
- Attics
- Basements
Household Tricks for Mice and Rats
As temperatures cool down, mice and rats will look for warm places to stay for the winter. Even if your home is sealed properly, rodents can find a way in. They could squeeze in through your siding, foundation, garage, chimney, or gutter. Locating mouse or rat droppings is a good sign that you have some unwanted house guests.
A small mouse might not seem like a big deal. But these pests can carry a variety of diseases, they can bother your pets, and they could even chew through wires in your home or car. So, a rat or mouse infestation should be dealt with as soon as possible. Start by sealing up any openings in your house.
Mice and rats like to scavenge for fluffy materials or paper to make a nest. It’s important to prevent them from accessing these types of materials. Store any possible rodent nest materials or foods in metal containers. Plus, there are a variety of natural remedies you can try, like:
- Peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, and cloves – Soak some cotton balls in any of these essential oils. Then place the cotton balls around your house in common hiding spots for mice and rats.
- Apple cider vinegar and water – Mix these ingredients up in a spray bottle and spritz it around the outside of your house.
- Instant Potatoes – After rats and mice eat up instant potatoes, the flakes will expand in their stomachs.
- Fabric softener sheets – Find any possible entry points and block them up using fabric softener sheets.
- Kitty litter – If you don’t have a cat, you can place tubs of used kitty litter near any access points.
- Ammonia – Ammonia has a similar smell to the urine of a predator, so you can use it as a substitute.
- Mothballs – Place mothballs around your home. Rodents don’t like the smell of them.
If you decide to leave any of these items around your house, make sure they’re out of reach of children and pets.
Maybe you’ve tried some of these remedies, and your rodent problem has persisted. When you need professional mouse and rat control, get in contact with a professional pest control team like Green Giant Home and Commercial.