Learning how to get rid of mice in backyard spaces is about knowing how to properly maintain your space. Mice are not plotting against you; they are only interested in your backyard because it provides all the bare necessities they need to survive. Proper outdoor maintenance can remove access to these essentials and urge mice and other animals to find alternate territories.
Preventing Mice in Your Victoria Yard
A single mouse may have five to 10 litters of three to 12 offspring every year. That means one mouse is potentially responsible for up to 120 mice annually. Therefore, even having one breeding pair of mice nesting on your property is a problem. Thankfully, the steps to prevent mice are relatively straightforward.
1. Clean Up
Mice thrive in areas that provide plenty of shelter, like wood piles, fallen leaves, and tall grass. To reduce the risk of a rodent colony in your yard, remove as many potential shelters as possible. Some ways to clean up your yard space include:
- Regular mowing
- Routine raking
- Weed pulling
- Removing wood and leaf piles
- Keeping trash and compost in sealed containers
2. Inspect Your Home
If mice are comfortable in your yard space, it is only a matter of time before they attempt to enter your living space. It is essential to inspect the exterior of your home for cracks, holes, and poor seals. A mouse can squeeze through an opening as narrow as a pen, so keep that in mind as you check your property.
If you come across any poor seals or openings, patch them using caulk or metal mesh. However, do not seal the openings unless you are confident that no mice are living in your home. You don’t want to trap them inside.
3. Seal Any Exterior Entry Points Around Your Home
Mice removal services in Victoria can do a better job of sealing openings and potential entry points. Wildlife professionals know what to look for and where to look. Homeowners attempting DIY inspections will likely miss many openings because their eyes are not trained to spot the signs.
4. Remove Food Sources
Mice primarily eat seeds and nuts but will eat almost anything to survive. You must ensure that any potential food sources are secure and beyond rodent access.
Some common food sources include bird feeders, pet food bowls, and trash. If you don’t want to eliminate bird feeders, keep the areas under them clean. Also, if you’re going to feed your pets outside, make sure to bring the dishes inside after they finish. Finally, purchase trash cans with tight-fitting lids. Metal cans are ideal because mice might be unable to chew through them.
5. Perform Regular Home Maintenance
Keeping up with lawn care and property maintenance is only one aspect of mice prevention. Routine home maintenance, including the interior and exterior, is necessary to keep mice and other wildlife away.
Maintain a clean and sanitary environment. The cleaner your property is, the less likely you are to have a rodent infestation. Also, don’t leave any area of your home unattended. Wildlife tends to find the spaces you neglect where they feel safest. Using your entire house and property routinely will deter many animals from seeking shelter there.
Hiring a Wildlife Control Service
While it is essential to deter wildlife from becoming too comfortable on your property, you will inevitably experience some animal traffic. If the traffic becomes routine, you may have a problem. Contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control to schedule a property assessment and learn more prevention strategies. Qualified wildlife technicians will help you understand and make necessary changes to protect your property.