3 Sure-Fire Ways to Keep Mice Out of Your Kitchen

Mice are nocturnal and can live quite comfortably among us, coming out at night for food. Waking up to a mouse invasion in the kitchen is not a good start to your day. The main reason to keep mice out of the kitchen is that mice are known to spread a long list of diseases. According to the CDC, this list includes hantavirus, salmonella, plague, tularemia, and more. Mice produce droppings and urine regularly so if they have been in your kitchen it is almost certain that they left droppings behind.

If you're living with a mouse infestation in your home it's especially important to keep the mice out of your kitchen. This isn’t to say that once you exclude them from this room that your worries are over. You should always work to completely eliminate mice from your home. They can always find an alternative route into your kitchen.

How to Keep Mice Out of the Kitchen

1. Ensure that no food scraps or crumbs are left out in the kitchen, clean up spills quickly and do a thorough cleaning of grease and food crumbs behind appliances like stoves and refrigerators. 
2. Seal food products, including pet foods, in sealed plastic or glass containers that rodents cannot chew through. 
3. Try to uncover how mice are entering the kitchen, oftentimes they follow your pipes and enter under the sink.  Exclude them from this using copper mesh around the pipes and any openings in your cabinets.  Remember, mice can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime so any gaps, cracks, crevices, and openings must be addressed and sealed.    

At times, mice can be quite crafty and despite our efforts, they can make their way into areas of our home, like the kitchen. Homeowners might consider the use of tracking powder to alert you to mice in the kitchen. If mice have made their way into the kitchen you will want to thoroughly clean all surfaces and don’t forget to double-check your cabinets and drawers for droppings. Mice are skilled climbers and can get into areas we wouldn’t even think is possible. To ensure proper cleanup, follow the CDC Guidelines. Mice can spread disease, especially through their droppings, so be sure not to skip this step.

If you're looking for professional help with getting rid of the mice in your home, contact us today for a free inspection and cost estimate.