We get asked all the time what homeowners can do to keep mice out of their yards. You probably can’t stop a mouse from ever crossing your property, but you can make your yard a lot less inviting.
Mice hang around where they can easily find food and a protected place to hide. Take those things away, and you’re already making it harder for them to get comfortable near your house.
Start With What’s Feeding Them
Take a walk around your yard and look for things a mouse could eat. Some of the biggest attractants are things homeowners don’t think twice about. Birdseed and sunflower seeds are common culprits, especially underneath feeders. Bags of grass seed and pet food should also be stored in containers mice can’t get into. Keep garbage secured and clean up fallen fruit and other food around the yard.
And here’s one that surprises people: dog and cat waste can attract mice too. Store-bought pet food can leave food material behind in their waste, so keeping the yard picked up is another simple thing you can do.
Give Them Fewer Places to Hang Out
That woodpile sitting alongside the garage may be convenient for you, but it can also be a great hiding spot for mice. The same goes for piles of leaves, overgrown vegetation, brush, cardboard and other clutter. Try to keep these things away from the foundation whenever possible. If you store firewood outside, keep it elevated and away from the house.
You don’t need a perfectly spotless yard. The goal is simply to eliminate the easy hiding places right next to your home.
What About Traps in the Yard?
Some homeowners use snap traps or bucket-style traps, including the popular walk-the-plank bucket setup. If you’re going to use traps outdoors, they need to be placed where children, pets and other wildlife can’t get to them.
We’re also not fans of putting rodent bait around an open yard. You don’t want to create a situation where pets, squirrels or other wildlife can get into it.
The Yard Is Only Half the Battle
You can clean up every seed and leaf in the yard and still have mice investigate your house. That’s where mouse-proofing the exterior becomes important. Small openings around utility lines, foundations, siding, garage doors and vents can be all a mouse needs to get inside.
Seeing Mice Around Your Property?
If mice are showing up around your yard, don’t wait until you’re hearing them inside the walls. Mice Mob Exterminators offers FREE professional mouse inspections throughout our Chicagoland service area.We’ll inspect your home for possible entry points and let you know what needs to be done to keep mice where they belong, outside.
Contact Mice Mob Exterminators today to schedule your FREE mouse inspection.