People don’t like mice. If you have ever had one in your home, you know how hard it is to get rid of them. Mice will take over your home if they have an opportunity to do so. They are smart, and they can fit through holes the size of a half-dollar. This can be unbearable for any homeowner to deal with.

Mice and rats enter the house through chimneys, foundation cracks, garage doors and corner posts. There are many methods that people can use to prevent mice from entering their garages and basement.

What Attracts Mice?

Mice are attracted to garages and basements for two main reasons. The first is food. Mice find food in garage insulation, under shelving, and in other storage areas. They also like to nest in and around food sources, especially if they are pet food.

The second reason mice are attracted to garages is because of their nesting habits. Mice like to live in the warmest, driest parts of a building, so they will often take up residence in garage insulation or under tarped ground covers. If a mouse discovers a warm area that is dry during the winter months, it might choose to make it its home year after year.

How to Keep Mice out of the Garage and Basements

Mice are very destructive creatures, and they can cause a lot of damage to your home. These rodents can chew through electrical wiring, eat through insulation, and ruin your appliances. Hiring a mice exterminator can help you to get rid of mice without any trouble. However, if you want to do it yourself, the good news is that you can keep mice out of your garage or basement by following these steps:

1. Remove all food sources

Keep pet food and bird feed in a well-sealed metal container to prevent mice from getting into them. Mice like to chew through plastic, so keeping them out of the area where you store supplies is best.

2. Get rid of nesting material

Mice need a place to make their nests, so remove any old boxes or other materials that could be used as nesting material. It’s best to do this before you see signs of mice activity in your garage or basement.

3. Use sound and Add screens

Sound deterrents are the most effective way to deter mice from your garage and basement. You can use squeaky toys, or make a squealing sound by rubbing sandpaper across the top of a board. You can also try adding screens to your garage door so that mice cannot get through.

4. Get rid of cardboard

Mice like cardboard boxes, so get rid of them. If you have a big cardboard box that’s been hiding out in your garage for years, you might be surprised to learn that mice are attracted to it. If you’re trying to keep mice out of your garage and basement, simply get rid of all the cardboard boxes that you can.

5. Place a dehumidifier

You can purchase a dehumidifier at any hardware store or home improvement store. It won’t take long for the device to reduce humidity levels enough to make it difficult for mice to survive in your garage or basement.

6. Keep the garage door closed and also keep exterior doors closed

Keep garage doors closed, especially at night. Mice can squeeze through tiny openings in a garage door, so closing the door at night keeps them out of your garage. Also, keep exterior doors closed or covered with weather stripping to keep mice out of your home.

7. Keep your landscaping neat

Landscaping should be kept neat with no dead trees or shrubs. Mice like to burrow into dirt and wood piles, which can make them feel very warm and secure. Keep your landscaping neat by trimming back any overgrown shrubs or trees that might provide a hiding place for mice.

8. Use essential oils – Spray a solution of peppermint extract and water around the perimeter

Essential oils are very powerful and you can diffuse them or spray them directly onto surfaces where mice may be trying to enter your home. You can use peppermint oil or lavender oil — around the perimeter of your garage or basement. The scent will keep them away from the building’s walls and foundations.

9. Seal openings as a crack in the garage foundation can be a way for mice to get in

Seal openings such as a crack in the garage foundation can be a way for mice to get in. If you have an area that is always open, such as an air vent or window, then seal these up tightly with caulk. The duct tape is meant for this purpose because it is waterproof and will not harm your insulation or drywall.

10. Store firewood outdoors, as far away from your garage and house as possible

The best way to keep mice out of your garage and basement is to store firewood outdoors, as far away from your garage and house as possible. While this may seem like a pain, it’s one of the most effective ways of keeping mice out of your home. Keeping your firewood in an area where it’s constantly exposed to rain will prevent them from getting a scent that will draw them in.

Call Take Care Termite and Pest Control to exterminate mice and rats from your garage and basements

Start implementing an extermination plan to rid you of these rodents now so that they do not cause you any more trouble. Over time, you will be thankful to have taken the steps needed to banish this problem as it is a common frustration among many people and a good lesson in homeowner upkeep.