As the temperatures drop for the winter season, mice are on the move, searching for warm, cozy places to settle. Unfortunately, your Louisiana home could be their ideal destination, especially if you aren’t thinking proactively. Gaps in your windows or doors, crumbs in the pantry, and piles of papers and laundry on the floors are all welcome signs for mice.

The good news is that with a few careful strategies, you can keep these pests out of your home this winter. Remember, mice are more than a nuisance. They carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Below are some tips our pest exterminator in Baton Rouge recommends for managing mice and other rodents.

Seal Up Entry Points

Mice can squeeze through openings as small as a dime. They have an average body size of 3 inches, and their skeletons are adapted to squeeze into tight spaces like cracks in walls, windows, and foundations. Mice can even climb through vents, garage doors, and on cables, and they can chew through a variety of materials, including wood, plastic, vinyl, and aluminum.

Look for holes in your home’s walls, foundation, and siding, as well as gaps around doors, windows, and utility pipes. Also inspect openings in the attic, basement, or crawl space. If you hire a pest exterminator, they will check these areas for you. Any noticeable holes or gaps can be filled using steel wool or hardware cloth, as mice can’t chew through these materials. Larger cracks can be sealed with caulk or expanding foam.

Keep Your Home Clean and Clutter-Free

Mice are attracted to food and shelter, so maintaining a tidy home is key to making your property less desirable. Store all pantry items in airtight containers and be sure to wipe up spills and crumbs right away. Keep garbage bins tightly sealed and empty them often to prevent trash from building up in the home. It also helps to keep your floors tidy, as mice and other pests will have a harder time finding a home. Remove piles of paper, cardboard, and other materials where mice might nest, and spend time organizing storage areas like basements and garages.

Eliminate Outdoor Attractants

The exterior of your home can inadvertently invite mice closer. Take steps to make your yard less appealing to rodents such as by keeping firewood and debris piles at least 20 feet away from your home. Trim bushes and shrubs near your foundation, and clear fallen leaves and other organic matter from your yard. This should be part of your fall cleanup, so you can take care of two things at once! Also, if you have bird feeders you want to leave out over the winter, consider replacing them with rodent-proof designs.

Protect Your Home’s Foundation

The foundation of your home is a common entry point for mice and unfortunately, it’s often overlooked by homeowners. Pay special attention to foundation vents, covering them with mesh screens. Check your basement windows and ensure they’re sealed and intact. A good idea is to use weather stripping on garage doors to block gaps.

Set Traps as a Precaution

Even with preventive measures, it’s wise to set traps in areas where mice are likely to enter. A professional pest exterminator will handle this for you. There are various types of traps, such as snap traps, glue traps, and live traps. These traps are typically placed along walls or baseboards, as mice tend to follow these paths. Additionally, traps can be set near suspected entry points or food sources.

Regularly Inspect Your Home

Routine inspections can help you spot early signs of a mouse problem before it becomes a full-blown infestation. You can also prevent other infestations from occurring. Here are the signs to watch for:

• Droppings: Small, dark, rice-shaped pellets.
• Chew marks: On food packaging, wires, or wood.
• Nesting materials: Shredded paper, fabric, or insulation.
• Noises: Scratching or scurrying sounds, especially at night.

Call a Pest Exterminator in Baton Rouge

If mice have already made their way into your home or if you’re dealing with a large infestation, it’s best to call a professional exterminator. They have the expertise and tools to eliminate the problem and prevent future issues. Pest control companies don’t just treat the problem; they take a holistic approach, identifying and sealing off entry points so that the mice don’t return.

Final Thoughts

Keeping mice out of your home this winter requires a proactive approach. By sealing entry points, maintaining cleanliness, and using deterrents, you can create a home that’s unwelcoming to rodents. A little effort now can save you from bigger headaches—and uninvited guests later in the season. If you need help securing your home or dealing with an infestation, contact Arceneaux Pest Management Service at (225) 791-9911.