They are cute. They love to be outside when it’s warm and maybe even spend time with you in the garden.
There are fun books written about them, too, such as “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.” There’s even a whole kingdom built of magic just for a particular pair of mice!
Yes, the loveable* mouse is our subject. That fuzzy little critter that’s a downright infestation here in North Alabama.
If, however, you see a mouse in your house come fall… you already have a big problem.
There’s a Mouse in Your House
All spring and summer, mice are busy increasing their population, hustling for food and shelter. All their little mousy problems can be solved by setting up a little homestead inside your house!
How do you know if you have a rodent problem? There are a few tell-tell signs.
- Scratching sounds in the walls.
- Chew marks on things like box food in a pantry or boxes in the garage.
- Mouse droppings (which is precisely what it sounds like)
If you suspect you’ve got house guests of the rodent variety, deal with it ASAP. They can and will cause damage to your home.
In fact, rodent control should start before you ever see one inside your house. The fewer mice around, in general, is a good thing.
Kick the Mouse Out of Your House
What can you do to address this issue? We have a few ideas and one great solution!
- Get a cat.
We say this in jest for this blog (or do we)? But cats do have a knack for keeping a mouse population under control. We are team cat!
- Seal cracks and other potential rodent entry points.
You can have this professionally done or do your best with the help of Google. Be sure to check your door seals, especially your garage door.
- Move trash cans away from the house.
If you keep your big green bins in the garage or up against the house, it might be time to reconsider their location.
- Set out bait or traps.
The professionals can best handle the fate of the fuzzy critters. Scout Pest Control offers a Rodent Control service that can include various types of traps or baits. A year-round plan of action is a no-brainer.
- Go organic.
This is not a reference to the mouse’s diet but the type of pest control that can be used. Organic baits are just safer around your pets and family.
Read more about organic pest control.
Remember that mice are invasive, and by the time you see evidence of one in your house, there’s already an infestation. Rodent control should start before they ever come inside.
*Respect to the folks who have mice for pets. Sorry!
Amy Jones has been a marketing professional in Huntsville for 20 years, with experience in all aspects of marketing, pr, media relations, event management, digital content, and design. Amy is the proud and busy momma of two boys, who keep things loud and fun. For fun she skateboards, rides her scooter, and kayaks (though sadly not at the same time!).
