Rodent Guide: Ways to Get Rid of Mice & Rats
Key Takeaways
- Mice and rats are just a few of the rodents that can infest your home, eat your food, and present various dangers to your health.
- Some signs of rodent infestation include spotting droppings, gnaw marks on packaging and food, and unpleasant odors in odd areas of your home.
- Getting rid of rodents in your home can be simple when you use the appropriate tools for the type and size of infestation.
- Snap traps, glue traps, electric traps, and live capture traps are just a few of the options that may be right for your needs.
How to Get Rid of Mice in Your Home
A rodent infestation can create an extremely uncomfortable living environment. Rodents, such as rats or mice, are small, sneaky creatures that can be difficult to spot at first glance. They love hiding in dark areas around the house, including under furniture and in cupboards. To catch a rodent infestation before it becomes serious, learn how to spot the signs and what you should do about these pests once you know they’re there.
DIY Pest Warehouse is here with all the different ways to get rid of mice or rats. Ensure a safe and pleasant home when you learn how to get rid of rodents in your home from the experts.
Signs of a Rodent Infestation
Depending on the severity of the infestation, you’ll see different signs and signals that rodents are in your space. Some of the signs of a mild infestation include:
- Rat Droppings: You’ll often see these near food areas, like the pantry, under the sink, and around food packages on countertops.
- Gnawed Packages: Don’t dismiss small holes or tears in food packaging! Look for teeth and claw marks to determine if they were made by rodents.
- Nesting Materials: Rodents use shredded paper, dried plants, and fabric to build their nests.
- Holes in Walls: Look at any entryways rodents may use to enter your home, including baseboards and around windows.
- Odd Smells: If you start smelling stale scents near hidden areas and crevices, this could be a sign of an infestation.
Rodents need a lot of food to survive, but they typically scurry around at night to nibble on food stocks, clothes, and carpets. They're nocturnal creatures that also require a place where they can hide during the daytime to feel safe from predators such as cats. If you see any rodents during the day, this could be a sign of a larger infestation.
There are several ways to get rid of mice and rats once you know the size of the infestation and the types of rodents you’re dealing with. Keep reading for more information about ways to get rid of rats.
Potential Hazards
Rodents pose potential health hazards to anyone living in your home. They can also damage property by weakening the structure or causing fires. This makes our guide on how to get rid of mice in your home even more important.
Some of the risks posed by rodents, and why you need to know all the ways to get rid of mice, include:
Spreading Disease
Rodents carry both bacterial and viral diseases, including Salmonella, hantavirus, and Listeria, which can get into your food. You can also become infected through a bite or scratch, or by inhaling dust that contains contaminants from their droppings.
Property Damage
Rodents like to chew on all types of things, even items that aren’t food. Over time, they can damage structural supports, insulation, and electrical wires, increasing the risk of fires and causing permanent damage.
Elimination Steps
It's time to get rid of these problematic pests! DIY Pest Warehouse offers a wide range of rodent pest control products to help you rodent-proof your home. Here are a few types of mouse traps to help you get started!
1. Glue Traps
Glue boards are among the simplest ways to get rid of mice, but they’re designed for indoor use only and can be controversial, as the rodent dies slowly. However, they have no moving parts, and you can simply set them where you expect rodents to be, checking them weekly.
2. Snap Traps
Effective and reusable, snap traps are also designed for indoor use in areas where nobody will accidentally trigger them. While they can be difficult to set up and require bait, they offer a quick death and simple disposal when you want to learn how to get rid of rodents in your home.
3. Live Catch
These are mainly for large infestations and can be DIY with a bucket and ramp on the outside. Once a rodent climbs the ramp and falls into the bucket, it won’t be able to get out again. Depending on the size of the bucket, you have a way to get rid of mice in large numbers.
4. Electronic Traps
Another option is the electronic trap. These are generally single-use, but they’re easy to set up. They lure the rodent in and deliver a fatal dose of electricity.
5. Poison
With poison for rodents, you have a way to get rid of rats and mice that also targets the nest. Most rodenticides can be used indoors and outside as bait that rodents will carry to their nest and share with others.
Preventing & Proofing
If you’re wondering how to prevent mice and rats in the first place, proofing your home is key. Here are the best ways to prevent rodents from infesting your home.
Sealing Entryways
Since rodents can squeeze into incredibly small spaces, you must inspect your home for cracks, crevices, and holes. Seal everything up with caulk, metal mesh, or steel wool. Inspect every year to seal up new holes and retreat existing entryways.
Smart Landscaping
Trim hedges and trees to ensure nothing overhangs your property, allowing rodents to jump from the plants to your house. Rodents also love clutter, so debris and woodpiles make great nesting spots. Keep them far away from your structure.
Correct Food Storage
Airtight containers made of glass and metal are the best way to protect food from rodents. You should also clean up crumbs and spills immediately, take out the trash regularly, and fix any leaks right away so they don’t become a source of attraction.
You won’t need to find a way to get rid of mice if they can’t get in at all!
FAQ
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Signs of infestation include:
- Droppings
- Gnawed food packages
- Odd smells
- Holes in walls
- Evidence of nesting materials
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If you plan to use rodent poison, we recommend a lockable bait station to ensure safety around children and pets. If you’re using other types of traps, we recommend placing them in areas where your children and animals cannot reach them.
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Yes! Using rodent traps provides you with a solution for how to get rid of rodents in your home. Consider glue traps, snap traps, and electric traps.
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You should start by checking any traps and bait stations daily, especially for larger infestations. After the first week, you can reduce your checks to once a week.
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The answer depends on the size of the infestation and the way you get rid of mice. It can take up to three weeks to control minor infestations with traps and several months to control larger infestations. Prevention is a key component to keeping rodents out of your home.
DIY Pest Warehouse Can Help
DIY Pest Warehouse offers you many ways to get rid of mice and other pest problems. With our professional-grade DIY pest control products, we can help prevent or contain an infestation. Get that mouse out of your house and save up to 80% compared with exterminator costs when you shop our DIY ways to get rid of rats.
Discover how to get rid of mice in your home and prevent them from entering again here. Order now and get fast, free shipping in the U.S.
Have questions about ways to get rid of mice and rats or deal with a recurring infestation? Get answers fast when you contact us now.
