What could be more irritating than having mice nesting and running about your beloved living space? The apocalypse, for one. But beyond that, not much else.

In this post, you will learn efficient and effective ways to fight one of the most irritating pests ever known to man, the mouse.

What are house mice?

House mice are among the numerous commensal rodents in existence. Mice have a dusty gray appearance. They are identified by their four legs and round shaped bodies with pointed muzzles. They are generally one of the most commonly encountered house pets. Research says that mice originated from Central Asia but are distributed worldwide.

Asides from mice being a strong disturbance, they are also a threat to health and properties.

The house mouse is very common because of its ability to breed rapidly and also adapt to different conditions. Research also says that female mice have the ability to birthing half a dozen babies weekly, and this explains why they are always available in large quantities.

What do house mice feed on?

It is most convenient for mice to feed on cereal and seed although they also eat nuts and fruit. Mice found in different homes can feed on any human food especially grain-based products.

How do you notice mice infestation in your home?

You need to always check if a mouse has infested your building as it will help you be in control. Some ways to check if mice have made your home a dwelling place include:

Check out for gnaw marks. 

You might notice rough or smooth gnaw marks on the walls.

Check for droppings- 

The mouse usually has dried droppings that are either soft or hard. Droppings of house mice are rod-shaped and look pointed on the ends.

Lookout for mice tracks- 

One of the first signs of mice is that their front feet and hind feet usually leave four-toed prints and five-toed prints respectively in the walls and other pathways.

Rub marks –

House mice often leave rub marks that are oily along the walls that they move through.

Check out for burrows –

Mice tend to burrow within insulation materials and whatnot. Almost anywhere could make a perfect burrow spot.

You might notice odor – 

Mice urine may have a distinct odor if a large number of mice are in an area, so it will help you to know if they are present.

Presence of damaged goods – 

In as much as mice feed mostly on grains and seeds, they can also take a fancy to whatever it is you have in your pantry

Visible rodents-

You get to know that mice are in your home when you see one hurrying across the kitchen floor or any part of your home. This will help you because it is an indication that there is a family of mice living right there with you.

What home remedy can I use to get rid of mice?

Suddenly stumbling upon mice will first leave you in a panic mode. It becomes worse if you miss the chance of killing it. The thought of having mice in your home may leave you disturbed.

So in other to avoid and control the troubles that come with mice, here are some effective home remedies you can use in getting rid of mice.

Peppermint oil

You can place peppermint oil-dipped cotton balls in front of small holes or openings to drive mice away and it is also good pest control. You have nothing to lose here because humans love the smell of peppermint while mice detest it.

You can use plaster of Paris and cocoa powder to get rid of mice.

You can get rid of mice by mixing one tablespoon of cocoa powder with plaster of Paris and then spreading it around the suspected mice holes both in the front and back of the building. Cocoa powder serves to attract the pest, and once they eat the mixture in place of food, they suffocate and dehydrate. So it is good and serves as a possible pest control.

Onions

Another way of getting rid of mice is by making use of onions. Mice tend to stay away from the pungent smell of onions. So once you suspect a mouse infestation, you can place onions in the entry and exit points, both front and back to enable you to get rid of them.

Garlic bulb

Most people enjoy having garlic in their homes for nutritional purposes. Garlic can also serve the function of helping you send the mouse away due to its pungent smell. This is because pests generally hate the strong smell. So you can mix chopped garlic with water and sprinkle it in the suspected pathway by which they infiltrate your building.

Use Cloves

Another effective way is by placing wrapped cloves in muslin cloths near mouse holes. The smell of cloves gets rid of mice easily.

Use potato powder

You can use potato powder to send mice away. Once you spread this mixture, mice set out to find the food because the smell is good for them. Once they find it and misplace it for food, the potato flakes cause their intestines to swell thereby killing them.