A nicely landscaped yard can make your home look great, but some landscaping choices can also give mice exactly what they are looking for: a protected place to hide close to your house.
At Mice Mob Exterminators, we often find mouse activity around landscaping that gives rodents enough cover to move around without being easily noticed. The closer that cover is to the foundation, the easier it can be for mice to investigate your home for a way inside.
Thick shrubs, bushes, ornamental grasses and ground cover planted directly against the foundation can create protected areas where mice can hide. You don’t have to remove your landscaping. Instead, keep bushes and shrubs trimmed and avoid allowing vegetation to become heavily overgrown against the house.
The idea is simple: don’t give mice a protected highway straight to your foundation.
A few leaves aren’t a problem. A thick pile of leaves sitting underneath bushes or alongside the foundation is different.
Leaves, grass clippings, weeds and other yard debris can create protected areas where mice can move, hide and potentially nest. Fall is especially important because leaves can quickly accumulate in areas homeowners don’t regularly see. Cleaning around the foundation also makes it easier to notice possible mouse activity.
Deep mulch and dense ground cover can provide additional hiding places, particularly when they’re right against the house. You don’t need to eliminate mulch from your landscaping. Keep it maintained and avoid letting excessive amounts pile up against siding, foundation openings or other vulnerable areas.
Firewood piles, stacked lumber, cardboard, unused planters and outdoor storage can all create shelter. Whenever possible, keep firewood elevated and away from the house. The same goes for materials stored behind garages, sheds and along the sides of your home.
Cleaning up your landscaping can make your property less inviting, but it won’t stop a determined mouse if there’s an opening into your home. That’s why we recommend combining good yard maintenance with a professional exterior inspection and mouse-proofing.
If you’re noticing mice around your landscaping, garage or foundation, it’s worth finding out whether they’ve discovered a way inside. Mice Mob Exterminators offers FREE professional mouse inspections throughout our Chicagoland service area.We’ll inspect the exterior of your home, identify potential entry points and explain what can be done to keep mice outside where they belong.
Contact Mice Mob Exterminators today to schedule your FREE mouse inspection.
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