Learning how to keep mice out of BBQ starts with understanding why they are there in the first place. Mice are fragile creatures; like any living thing, they want to feel safe, especially when the weather turns. Many mice will find homes in BBQs in the fall and remain there through the winter months. People may not notice until the spring when they remove the cover or prepare the BBQ for spring and summer cookouts. You can protect BBQ and prevent such occurrences by following a few expert tips.
3 Tips for Keeping Mice Out of Your BBQ
While it might seem like keeping mice out of your BBQ is a lost cause since it is an outdoor appliance, there are things you can do to minimize its attractiveness to rodents. Mice primarily nest or shelter in your BBQ because it provides a safe place and protection against the elements. Still, there might be other things attracting the mice to the grill, things you can correct.
1. Keep the BBQ Clean
All living things need food, shelter, and water. Mice can survive a long time without water, but they still need the other two necessities. A covered grill offers a decent barrier against the elements, but more than that, a poorly maintained BBQ can provide snacks.
Every time you use your grill, clean the surface when finished. Mice will eat remnants of cooked meals and don’t need a lot to make a meal worthwhile. Keeping the appliance clean makes it less appealing to rodents and other wildlife.
2. Eliminate Potential Nesting Areas
An uncovered BBQ grill may offer a unique and protected nesting area. Mice can find their way into the grill basket, where they feel safe from predators. Also, if you keep wood chips near the grill or in the grill, the mice have an excellent start to a nest.
Keep the grill sealed as much as possible. Also, remove any wood chips from around or in the BBQ. Finally, keep the area around the grill swept and clean of yard waste and debris.
3. Keep the BBQ Covered When Not in Use
The best way to prevent mice in your BBQ is to ensure there is no easy way inside it. Use a heavy-duty, durable grill cover. If possible, use one made for the make and model of your grill to ensure the snuggest fit. A tight-fitting cover can eliminate or at least reduce the odds of mice finding a way inside the BBQ.
Ways To Remove Mice From a BBQ
Learning how to get rid of mice is not the same as actually removing them. The easiest way to remove mice is to wait until they leave the BBQ, dump the nesting material, and move the BBQ inside the garage.
Be careful when dumping, especially if the mouse has babies. If the mouse had a litter in your BBQ, contact a wildlife control service to help with removal and cleanup efforts.
Ways To Prevent Mice From Invading Your Property
The best way to keep mice from your property is to maintain it. Keeping grass cut low, throwing away yard waste, keeping trash in tightly sealed bins, and limiting access to fresh food and water are the best ways to prevent mice.
Reasons To Work With a Professional
If you have mice on your property or in your BBQ, hire wildlife removal in Victoria. DIY removal methods are ineffective and dangerous to you and the mice.
Contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control to schedule a property inspection with qualified animal control technicians. The team will assess the level of the infestation and present possible solutions.