4 Ways To Keep Mice From Invading An Empty Home
Do you have a home that you only use seasonally? Or perhaps you are moving out of a house and leaving it vacant for a few weeks while you move. In either case, you'll want to take a few steps before you move out in order to prevent mice from invading in your absence. These little pests sure love empty homes where there are no humans to bug them! Here's how to keep your house from becoming a mouse castle.
1. Take all food with you.
You might figure you can leave the bag of flour or tub of oats for next season, but this is not a good idea. Mice are far more likely to nest inside the house if it comes with its own buffet. On the other hand, if a mouse scout enters the home and finds it devoid of treats, they may leave and find somewhere else to live rather than bringing the whole family to join them. Take all pet food home, too. It might be labeled "cat food," but mice love it just as much.
2. Check the weatherstripping.
Mice can fit through remarkably tight spots. One way they often enter is through small gaps between or under your windows and doors. Weatherstripping can tear without you realizing it, leaving just enough space for a mouse to poke through. Check all of the weatherstripping for cracks, and if you do find a crack, replace that piece. Don't just use duct tape to hold it together; mice can chew through that.
3. Check that the chimney and roof vents are covered.
If your home has a chimney, make sure it has a chimney cap that will prevent mice from falling down it. Also make sure there are mesh covers over your roof vents, and that they have not been chewed through. If your vents are uncovered, it's definitely worth having a roof company come add some mesh. Otherwise, mice may be only one of your issues; bats can enter through open vents, too.
4. Turn the water supply off.
Mice need a water source, so if you have even a single leaking tap, your home becomes more appealing to them. Water that leaks while you're away could also soften building materials and make them easier for mice to chew through. Turn your main water valve off to prevent a whole array of problems while the home is empty.
You can also hire pest control services to help you accomplish all these tasks.