How to Control a Mouse Infestation in Your New Jersey Home

Mice infestations can be extremely frustrating and stressful for homeowners.  An infestation can go from small to large in a short amount of time.  And here’s why, according to the National Pest Management Association:  A female house mouse can give birth when they are only two months old, and they are able to have up to a dozen babies every three weeks.  This means she could have as many as 150
offspring in a single year! 

Here are 5 steps for controlling a mouse infestation with your sanity still in check:

1. Excluding mice from entering your home, to begin with is key to long-term rodent control in your home.  While mice can multiply quickly, you must first uncover how mice are entering your home and correct the situation.  Mice commonly enter a home through gaps near windows and doors and cracks or openings in and around the home’s foundation.  Keep in mind that mice can fit through a hole the size of a dime.  Mice are also known to enter through vents in and around a home. Chew-proof stainless steel mesh will allow air to escape through the vent but prevent rodents, like mice, from entering. 
2. Exclude mice from the kitchen, if possible. Properly cleaning your kitchen is essential to avoiding the diseases that mice can spread. 
3. Decide whether you will try do-it-yourself measures of controlling mice at home including setting traps and using glue boards or contact a professional to gain control quickly. 
4. Once you feel you have gained control of the infestation you will want to monitor areas of your home where the mice were.  You can utilize glue boards or tracking powder or simply sprinkle some baby powder, particularly if it is an out-of-the-way area like the attic or basement.  Since mice travel along walls and baseboards you will want to concentrate on placing your monitoring devices along these areas.  Also, inspect the areas regularly for new droppings to alert you to a re-infestation. 
5. Consider how mice populations outdoors might be contributing to indoor infestations.  Be sure to clear the perimeter of your home from heavy vegetation, leaves, and other debris.  Position log piles farther from your home as they make good nests for mice.  If you know that mice are already living in areas under decks or sheds you can consider buying and placing bait stations in and around these areas.  Just ensure that any baits are placed securely in a station so other animals, pets, and even children cannot access them.   

Small mouse infestations can quickly grow into large infestations if you are not careful. At the first signs of a mouse in your house take steps to alleviate the problem or contact us for help.