How To Keep Mice Out This Fall

Why do mice infest homes in the fall?

Mice are survivalists and commensal rodents, meaning they partially rely on humans for survival. And, of course, our homes offer everything they need.

• Food
  Mice are always searching for food, and once fall arrives, natural food sources, like seeds and insects, dwindle, making it harder to fill their bellies. Homes offer an abundance of food sources, such as crumbs and spills, opened packages of food, and pet food.
• Shelter
  When the weather turns colder or inclement, homes offer warm, dry shelter for mice. Structures are an escape from cold and wet conditions and offer plenty of undisturbed places to build nests and, unfortunately, reproduce.
• Safety
  Indoors, mice can hide away from predators, including cats, owls, and other animals.

How do mice get into homes?

Mice are opportunistic critters; they're able to sneak inside homes in many ways, including the following:

• Gaps and cracks
  Mice, even full-grown ones, can slip through tiny openings as small as the diameter of a dime.
• Around doors
  Gaps beneath exterior doors and garage doors allow mice to sneak inside. Missing or worn weatherstripping or door sweeps make these potential entry points even easier to access.
• Holes in siding or roof
  Damaged or loose siding, soffits, or shingles create easy access points for mice to enter attics and wall voids.
• Vents and chimneys
  These rodents are capable jumpers and climbers. They can easily reach open vents or chimneys, using those areas as entryways into homes.
• Utility openings
  Spaces around pipes, wires, and vents are common entry points for mice, especially if they are poorly sealed.

What do mice do when they get inside homes?

Once mice find a way indoors, they can cause many headaches. Not only are they nuisance pests, but they are also destructive. Here are a few problems tied to mice infestations:

• Mice build nests in attics, wall voids, under sinks, and behind appliances, to name a few places. They use materials like insulation, cardboard, and fabric they steal from around the house. Those nests aren’t just cozy places to ride out winter; they’re nurseries where LOTS of pups are raised.
• Speaking of pups, mice reproduce quickly, so what may start as a small rodent problem can turn into a large infestation in a matter of weeks.
• Mice chew on almost anything they can find – wood, insulation, plastic, cardboard, wires – which can cause minor to more significant damage and even result in potential fire hazards.
• As they travel around houses, mice leave behind droppings, urine, saliva, and fur, all of which can contaminate surfaces and food and cause health issues.

How to outsmart mice and keep them out this fall

The best way to keep mice from entering your home is to outsmart them. In other words, take steps to discourage rodent activity on your property and prevent them from getting inside. Here’s what you can do:

• Remove bird feeders.
• Pick up fallen fruit.
• Trim back plants and dense vegetation.
• Prune trees so they don’t touch the house’s exterior.
• Clean out gutters.
• Haul away yard debris.
• Clear out clutter in the garage, attic, and closets.
• Clean indoor and outdoor trash cans and make sure they are covered.
• Seal gaps, cracks, and openings from the foundation to the top of the house.
• Replace or install weatherproofing and door sweeps.
• Cover vents.
• Store belongings in durable plastic containers with tight-fitting lids instead of flimsy cardboard boxes.
• Replace damaged wood.
• Address moisture problems and plumbing issues.

What to do if it’s too late and mice have infested

If you’ve already discovered rodent droppings or noticed other evidence of a mouse problem in your home, contact Anti-Pest for help. Our locally owned and family-operated pest control company offers home pest control services in Shreveport, Bossier City, and other communities in Bossier, Caddo, and DeSoto parishes. We’ve been helping property owners eliminate and prevent mice and other pests from taking over since 1950; you can rely on us. Check out our Pest Plan below, or give our office a call to learn more about our trusted solutions!