Rodents. No one knows their exact population numbers. And yet, they’ve been on the rise, lately and many big cities have issues with them. This means we’re more and more likely to encounter mice problems around our domain.
Which takes us to today’s topic. Preventing these ingenious infiltrators from gaining access to your home and, thus, your kitchen.
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Let’s explore how in detail below.
Seal Food Sources
Mice have a keen sense of smell. As such, that poses a problem as any open food sources will be really appealing to them. The solution is to use airtight metal or glass containers. Especially for items in your pantry, which are presumably there for long-term storage.
Why such precautions? Because mice have strong and constantly growing teeth. That makes it no problem for them to chew through paper and sometimes plastic. If you see a compromised item, do not consume it. Instead, discard it immediately and sanitise the area. Throw away anything that hasn’t been safely stored. Failing to do so will result in contracting some of the many diseases that mice carry.
However, if you eliminate open sources of food in your kitchen, it will naturally be much less attractive to these small rodents.
Eliminate Standing Water
Any living organism needs water to survive. And when there’s a source nearby, the place immediately becomes more attractive to mice. If you have standing water, you need to fix any leaks and drips. Look under the sink or around appliances. Regularly wipe the countertops and the sink. That will eliminate standing water and not attract rodents.
Moreover, opt for drip trays if you have potted plants. That will prevent water from pooling, which is what attracts mice. Lastly, if you’re thorough at eliminating standing water, you will make your kitchen much less attractive to rodents.
Seal Entry Points
Remember that bit above about them being ingenuous infiltrators? That’s because they can get in even through the smallest of openings. What makes that possible, you might ask?
Well, that’s due to their bodies being so flexible that they can easily squeeze through an opening. Think, so as long as they can squeeze their head through it, they’d be in. That makes your task a bit more difficult. Firstly, you need to locate all the gaps and holes and then seal them off.
Use caulking or steel wool. Seal any gaps around pipes, vents, and even utility lines. Look for cracks or holes around doors and windows. Furthermore, install door sweeps and screens on windows. Those will serve as an additional deterrent against mice.
Lastly, opt for a door threshold. It will serve as a barrier against rodents attempting to gain access from outside. When you’ve done all the tasks above effectively, you will significantly reduce the likelihood of a mice infestation.
Maintain Cleanliness
A clean kitchen is much less likely to attract rodents. Or, you know, other pests as well. That’s why it’s a good idea to add regular cleaning to your household schedule.
Sweep and mop the floors regularly. Also, wipe down the countertops and all surfaces. Don’t leave crumbs or spills behind. They will surely attract rodents, and possibly other pests as well.
Moreover, don’t just do surface-level cleaning. Regularly clean the inside of the kitchen cabinets as well. They are areas where crumbs and food debris sometimes accumulate. Clean around your appliances as well. Dispose of the garbage promptly, but also make sure your trash bins are tightly sealed. Otherwise, the odours from the leftovers will attract mice.
If you don’t have pets, consider using natural ingredients with strong scents. For example, vinegar and citrus-based cleaners will do an excellent job here. The overwhelming sense of smell will deter the rodents from entering. Overall, keeping a clean kitchen is what’s going to minimise the likelihood of mice infestations.
Use Natural Deterrents
Certain essential oils will come in handy in your battle to deter mice. Peppermint oil is one such ingredient. It has a strong scent that all mice find unpleasant.
Use it on cotton balls and place them around your kitchen. Choose key locations where you believe mice might enter or are likely to nest. Refresh or replace them after a couple of weeks to ensure they serve effectively as a deterrent.
Lastly, consider other essential oils too. Ingredients such as lemon oil, citronella oil, and even eucalyptus oil are great alternatives. Use these natural deterrents as a supplementary defence to the other tips included above.
Employ Ultrasonic Repellents
This is another viable option. As the name suggests, these devices emit unpleasant high-frequency sounds. Mice find it unpleasant and generally avoid entering the premises. You insert these contraptions in the outlet, and you’re all set.
However, make sure there is no furniture in front of the outlet, as that may prevent some of the device’s effectiveness. Ultrasonic repellents are generally considered safe around pets and children.
Still, if your pet starts behaving strangely, you might want to turn them off and employ other means.
Regular Inspections and Maintenance
Mice prevention starts with vigilance. Things with mice can quickly get out of hand. They’re procreating fast, which means that if left undiscovered, you will soon have to deal with huge numbers of hungry mice.
So, take the advice and don’t avoid this step.
Regular inspections are your best bet here. They will save you plenty of headaches down the line. Why? Because the larger the infestation, the more costly to deal with it and control it. You’ll also save plenty in terms of prevented damage.
Look for mice droppings and gnaw marks. Inspect locations where you suspect there might be mice infestations. Should you find signs of the pesky rodents, take action immediately. This includes employing some of the advice we mentioned above, such as sealing gaps and disinfect surfaces.
Lastly, if you do notice a problem, the best way to handle it is by calling mice control services. The specialists have tons of experience dealing with such problems. Moreover, they’ll analyse your specifics and provide you with helpful insight into which are the weakest areas and how to mouse-proof your home.
Ultimately, that will save you plenty of time dealing with the rodent menace. You’ll also avoid costly repairs and all the health hazards that come down the line from having mice running rampant in your home.
Conclusion
Rodents are surely a problem. However, with these tips, you can mouse-proof your entire home. Yes, that includes your precious kitchen.
Remember that vigilance and regular cleaning are your main weapons in the fight against the mouse menace. Enhance the defence of your home via these tips, and luckily, you’ll never have to deal with these small yet dangerous pesky infiltrators.
We wish you plenty of luck in avoiding them, so you may enjoy the comfort of your home in peace!
