Your house is your sanctuary. Everyone wants a home to feel safe. Security comes from more than locks and alarm systems; it comes from knowing that the outside world stays outside. You can make changes and reinforce good habits before mice removal in Kitchener is necessary.

Rodents and Unintended Invitations  

Rodents are some of the most clever and motivated wildlife. Their tiny, flexible bodies make it possible for them to squeeze through small openings and wriggle their way into your house. Despite the cuteness of a mouse’s size and furry features, seeing even one in your home means trouble. 

Many people do not realize they present invitations for mice to enter. Even if they didn’t entice mice unwittingly, their house represents a prize for most wildlife. 

Protecting Your Home Against Infestations

Before you are dealing with an infestation, there are things you can do to protect the integrity of your home. Three things motivate mice and other wildlife, and if you can eliminate, protect, or limit access to any of them, you reduce the likelihood of an infestation. 

1. Clutter

Most people pride themselves on the cleanliness of their homes. Even in the cleanest homes, some spaces can go overlooked. For instance, when was the last time you cleaned the garage, decluttered the attic, or swept up the basement? 

There is no shame in an occasional lapse in your cleaning schedule. People get busy, and some tasks fall by the wayside. Unfortunately, wildlife love clutter, especially mice. 

Mice rummage through the clutter to find nesting material and anything edible. Cardboard boxes in the attic are perfect for making bedding. Dog food bags left on the garage floor provide perfect opportunities for a snack.  

Protecting your house against rodent infestations is about remaining vigilant about home maintenance. The cleaner your house is, the less likely rodents and other wildlife will find it interesting. 

2. Shelter

A clean house is not enough to end all interest in your home. Like all wildlife, mice need shelter. Mice are among the most vulnerable and haunted animals on the planet. Their list of natural predators is long. Finding a safe shelter is paramount to their survival.  

Your house is sturdy, challenging to enter (for most wildlife), and warm. The same things that make a house desirable for you also make it desirable for mice. 

To safeguard your home, you need to seal it. You need to walk your property looking for cracks in the foundation, poor seals around windows, loose roofing materials, etc. Make all necessary repairs. 

Mice can squeeze through openings about the width of a pencil. Many homeowners find it difficult to assess their property for vulnerabilities. A pest control specialist can help, and they can inspect the property for signs of existing infestations. 

3. Food and Water 

Like all living things, mice need food and water to survive. From cupboards of snacks to faucets and water lines, your home is a genuine smorgasbord of life-sustaining goodness.  

Keeping mice at bay is about limiting their access to necessities. You must keep crumbs vacuumed off the floor and wiped from the tables and counters. You want to ensure dirty dishes do not sit out in the sink. Finally, take out the trash every night.  

With water, you want to ensure all your glasses are empty and sinks are dry. You should also consider annual or biannual plumbing inspections to ensure your water lines are intact — mice are tenacious chewers and can chew through some plumbing lines. 

You can protect your home against mice and other wildlife. If you are ready to invest in your security and home health, contact Truly Nolen Canada and schedule a property assessment.