Hearing scratching noises coming from your walls at night could mean mice are making themselves at home. These rodents love the warmth, shelter, and easy access to food that houses in Orem offer, especially during the colder months. Mice seem small and harmless, but they can cause serious problems. They can chew through wires and spread germs, so they need to be dealt with fast. Thus, you should contact a pest control technician with experience handling mouse infestations. You can find one when you visit saelapest.com . Below are proven and effective ways to get rid of mice in your walls before things get out of control.
Listen and Look for the Signs
Confirm that mice are the ones causing trouble before you do anything. Mice in the walls usually make soft scratching or scampering noises, especially at night. You might also notice droppings near baseboards or in the pantry, chewed food packaging, or greasy rub marks along walls.
Seal Up Entry Points
Mice can squeeze through holes as small as a dime. Older homes in Orem often have small cracks or gaps that make perfect doorways for rodents.
Inspect the outside of your home to find possible entry points. Look around the foundation, near windows, and where pipes enter the house. Seal holes with steel wool and caulk or use rodent-proof mesh. Mice can chew through foam and rubber, but not metal. Also, check behind appliances, under sinks, and in closets for access points. Even gaps behind kitchen cabinets can give mice a way in.
Use Mouse Traps Strategically
Traps are effective products for catching mice. Your options include:
- Snap traps. These mouse traps are classic, cheap, and effective.
- Electronic traps. These traps can quickly and cleanly kill a mouse, but they are more expensive than other traps.
- Catch-and-release traps. These are a humane option. However, you will need to release the mice far from home to ensure they do not return.
Place traps along walls, behind furniture, and near signs of activity. Mice like to stick close to walls, so do not place traps in the middle of the room.
Peanut butter for bait works great. You can also try chocolate, bacon, or bits of cereal. Just ensure the trap is not overloaded.
Try Natural Repellents
There are a few natural options that might help keep mice away if you would want to avoid chemicals. Natural repellents will not fix a big infestation, but they can help when used along with traps and sealing.
- Peppermint oil. Mice hate the smell. Soak cotton balls and place them near entry points or inside the walls if you can reach them.
- Used kitty litter. The smell of a predator can scare mice off. Place a small tray near known entry points.
- Cloves or cayenne pepper. These strong smells can also be a deterrent, though they may need to be replaced often.
Clean Up and Cut Off Food Sources
Mice do not need much to survive. A few crumbs and a little water can keep them going for days. You must make your home as unwelcoming as possible if you want to get rid of these pests. This means storing food in airtight containers, wiping down counters and sweeping floors daily, and fixing leaky faucets or pipes. Also, you should take out the trash regularly and keep your garage and storage areas clutter-free.
Call in the Pros When Needed
Sometimes, mice will not leave no matter what you do. It might be time to call the professionals in this. Professional exterminators have tools and knowledge the average homeowner does not. They can also help you figure out where the mice are nesting inside your walls. Many pest control services in Orem offer humane options and long-term prevention plans, which can save you time, stress, and future headaches.
