The problem of how to get rid of mice confounds many homeowners. The tiny rodents have been around as long as human civilization has existed, and they are well adapted to scavenging from people. Unfortunately, they also carry diseases and destroy property. This means that ridding the house of mice and keeping them out needs to be a priority. To do this, homeowners need to trap or kill the mice currently in the house and take measures to prevent reinfestation.
Poisons
Rat poison is a popular choice for killing mice. Various poisons are available, most in the form of baits. Mice eat the poison, and after ingesting a certain amount, they die. Unfortunately, these poisons can also kill children and pets. Some poisons can even kill pets that only eat the poisoned mice and not the poisons themselves. Additionally, because the poisons take some time to kill mice, there is no predicting where the rodents will die. This makes carcass disposal a problem. Because of safety and sanitation concerns, homeowners should be cautious when using poisons to kill mice.
Cats and Dogs
Some homeowners rely on cats or dogs, especially terriers, to control rodents. In some cases this works very well. However, experts advise that obtaining a pet solely for rodent control may lead to disappointment. Not all cats and dogs are good mousers or have strong prey drives. Moreover, pet food that is left out can actually attract mice. Also, owners with cats and dogs cannot safely use poisons as part of their rodent control strategies.
Traps
Trapping mice is probably the most effective and humane way to deal with small infestations. Homeowners should place traps in areas with mouse droppings or where they have seen mice. Classic snap traps baited with peanut butter or other foods are very attractive to mice, and they usually kill the creatures quickly, minimizing suffering. Glue traps are also available, but they tend to be messy and prolong suffering. Humane box traps are another option. These traps capture live mice, meaning homeowners need to have a place to release the rodents where the creatures will not simply run right back into the house.
Control and Prevention
While knowing how to get rid of mice is important, homeowners need to realize that keeping the rodents from returning is even more important. Keeping mice out of the house requires making the home inaccessible and undesirable to rodents. This means sealing all food and potential nesting materials in tight containers. It also means that homeowners need to reinforce doors and windows with metal and seal up any openings in the walls or foundation that are larger than a quarter of an inch. These openings need to be sealed with a material that mice cannot destroy by gnawing. If homeowners follow these steps, they can keep mice out of their homes.
