Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
It’s getting cold in Kentuckiana and we are all just trying to stay warm. Well, guess what? Mice too are trying to stay warm and survive the winter. It is common for mice to look to your nice heated home as a place to hunker down for the winter. Here are some tips for keeping them out this winter.
1. Keep your kitchen clean and the items in your pantry sealed closed. One of the first things mice will look for is a food source. Cat and dog food should also stay closed up. If you keep your pet food in the garage you’ll definitely want to store it with a tight lid.
2. Elevate your firewood. Firewood is a favorite place for mice, but lifting it at least 18 inches off the ground will help to deter them. It’s also a good idea to store the firewood away from the main structure of your house.
3. Make sure your doors leading outside have a brush strip. Even small gaps in the door are enough for a mouse to squeeze through because they have collapsible rib cages. Many brush strips have an adhesive strip, rather than screws, making them super easy to install. BONUS: These will also help you save energy!
3. Mice love places to hide, especially areas where people aren’t often like basements, attics, and garages. Clear out cardboard boxes and old newspapers and books. These paper products make great nests for these pesky unwanted guests.
4. Seal off any entry points. Check not only your doors but windows and screens. Seal any cracks in the walls or foundation. Also, make sure that your chimney has a cap. Mice are great climbers and can flatten themselves.
