Mice issues often begin in the yard, and then the pests make their way indoors when looking for food, shelter, or both. Effective mouse control begins by making your home's yard and exterior as unwelcoming to the pests as possible.
1. Seal Possible Entries
Mice can fit through tiny holes no bigger in diameter than that of a pencil, which means any holes in your home's exterior could provide a possible entrance for a mouse. Filling in gaps in the siding, small foundation cracks, and spaces around windows and doors can go a long way toward keeping mice out of your home. Mesh screens installed behind a foam filler or similar fill material will prevent the mice from chewing their way back in.
2. Move the Animal Feed
Bird feeders and pet food bowls can attract hungry wildlife, including mice. Place bird feeders well away from the house and look for feeder designs that minimize spills on the ground. The less seed on the ground, the less likely that it will attract rodent pests. Pet food should be brought in each evening. It's also a good idea to set it away from the house to further minimize attracting rodents.
3. Relocate Waste Receptacles
It can be convenient to place the garbage cans right outside the back door for easy filling, but the garbage may attract rodents. Once the mice set up a feeding ground near your home it becomes more likely they will make their way inside eventually. Move receptacles well away from your home. Other waste sites, such as compost piles, should also be placed well away from the home such as in a corner of the backyard.
4. Clean Up Yard Debris
Mice can survive quite nicely on old fruit and vegetables in your yard. They may even feed on ornamental varieties that you don't automatically consider a food source. Clean up fruit that falls from landscape trees promptly so it doesn't attract mice. Vegetable gardens should be harvested often and cleaned up quickly at the end of the season. You may also want to avoid planting vegetables and fruits too close to the house foundation.
5. Remove Bedding Sites
Warm and secure nesting sites should be minimized in the yard. For example, wood piles can attract nesting mice, so don't place them right against your home's foundation. Same with thick layers of mulch -- thin the layer out or remove it entirely so it isn't stacked right against your home. There will likely still be welcoming bedding sites in your yard, but the goal is to ensure there are none too close to the house.
If mice have already invaded your home, the above tips combined with the help of a mice extermination service can eradicate the infestation and prevent the pests from returning.
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