Common DIY Mouse Control Fails

With cooler temperatures in the evenings, mice may begin to seek shelter in your home. These rodents will not only cause physical damage to your home and belongings but they are known to carry harmful diseases including Salmonella and Lyme Disease. Like most people, you may initially want to try do-it-yourself methods to eliminate your pest problem. However, there are many problems that come with these methods. Read more to learn the common DIY mouse control fails and how to perform effective pest control strategies.

Mistake #1: Not Wearing Gloves While Handling Mousetraps and Bait

Mice have a keen sense of smell. If they detect human scent on a mousetrap, they’ll likely avoid it. Wear gloves anytime you are handling a mousetrap and bait.

Mistake #2: Using the Wrong Bait

When many people turn to DIY mouse control, they often turn to cheese as a bait. While mice will pretty much eat anything, they’re actually more attracted to grains and fruits. So you may want to try baiting your mousetraps with peanut butter rather than cheese.

Mistake #3: Using Too Much Bait

In regards to bait, you want to make sure you are using a small amount of it. Mice are very clever. If you put a large enough amount of bait on your trap to where a mouse can simply swipe some of it without setting off the trap, it will.

Mistake #4: Randomly Placing Mousetraps around the Home

Mousetraps scattered about your home aren’t logical compared to a mouse’s natural habits. Mice travel in straight paths along cabinets and walls. You’ll want to place your mousetraps at 90-degree angles to walls with the traps’ snapper side facing the wall.

Mistake #5: Using Ultrasonic Pest Repellers

Ultrasonic or electronic, pest repellers claim that their high-frequency sound waves will deter pests. While they may appear to work at first, they aren’t a long term method of keeping pests away. Effective pest control requires getting down to the root cause including locating access points, sealing them, and treating the home.

Mistake #6: Using Essential Oils, Mothballs, and Other Homemade Concoctions

While mice are very sensitive to scents. These methods don’t produce strong enough fragrance to keep mice away from your entire home. They may work for a pantry but keep in mind you will have to re-apply these solutions over and over again.

Proven Pest Control

When it comes to pest control of any kind, prevention is the most successful treatment. If you’re experiencing a mouse infestation in your home or business, it’s best that you leave it to the professionals. Mice can be difficult to remove and multiply quickly. They are not only destructive but they also carry diseases.