3 Proven Ways to Get Rid of Mice Fast

If you’re reading this article, you probably suspect or have confirmed the presence of mice. Maybe you’ve heard the creepy scratching in the walls just while you’re trying to fall asleep. Or perhaps you’ve come home from a beautiful evening, turned on the light, and seen the scream-inducing dart of black, brown, or gray across the kitchen floor.

And then there’s your famous almond-infused muffins for your church group. You left them out overnight. In the morning, you noticed little holes nibbled through the plastic wrap. And now you want to know how to get rid of mice. Completely. As in yesterday.

We might be a professional pest control company, but we’re also homeowners. There are parts of this problem that you can solve yourself. And there are parts of the problem that might encourage you to hire a professional. I’ll give you the information you need so you can decide.

So here is what you need to know to get rid of mice.

Why do I have mice?

There is one thing that Midwestern want: A warm place to curl up in the winter. You likely will hear scratching or worse, see that scream-inducing little thing during the fall and winter. That is because mice are drawn, like we are, to places that are warm and safe.

Warm air can be escaping from doors you leave open as you bring in groceries or carry out the garbage. And hey, we all have children who forget to close the door behind them. We know how that happens. Or maybe you’ve got a remodeling project going on and workers traipsing in and out.

Having mice usually isn’t about anyone’s carelessness, however. Rather, the warm air that is escaping from your house in spots you don’t see or know about. But the mice sure feel it as they scurry along outside.

Warm air escapes through holes and cracks in your foundation. You can lay all the traps that your paycheck can afford, but if you’ve got holes and cracks in the trim around your windows or in that foundation that you haven’t spotted, you are sending a handwritten invitation to mice. That invitation reads, “Come toward this home! You will find warmth and a safe place with food so stop on in!”

You don’t have mice because you’re a messy homeowner. You have mice because you the warm air from inside your home acts like a tractor beam for those little critters.

Also Read: The Best Ways to Get Rid of Mice this Spring

What can I do to get rid of mice?

Here are a number of proven methods for getting rid of mice:

Proven Method #1: By traps to deal with the mice you’ve seen and the ones you haven’t
You’re going to want to buy a bunch of traps All kinds. Sticky traps and traditional wood traps. Just purchase whatever looks interesting to you on the shelf at Home Depot or Ace.

But remember you need to think about your comfort level. Sticky traps are fantastic unless you’re squeamish. If you lay a sticky trap, the mouse will be alive when you find it, and the mouse will be agitated and afraid and active. Are you prepared for that?

Also Read: Winterizing Your Home Against Rodents

Some folks just are not fearful or squeamish at all. We know of one grandma that used sticky traps. AND SHE RE-USED THEM! But she also lived through the Depression. You might not be quite so…hardy.

Proven Method #2: Use the proper bait for your traps

We all grew up watching Tom and Jerry on television. But cheese isn’t a great bait. Cheese dries out. And other baits that people try, like bacon, have the same problem.

You do not want to choose a bait that dries out because its shrinks and gets a bit smaller, and then it is easier for a crafty mouse to grab and enjoy. He’ll think you’re the greatest host in the neighborhood and keep coming back for more.

Now peanut butter, on the other hand, is excellent bait. Peanut butter is goopy and sticky. It stays where you have placed it. Check out this YouTube video, How to Catch Mice with Peanut Butter.

You’re going to want to place the traps near where the mice are coming in. Perpendicular to the baseboards is best. You will need to do some investigation to figure out where the mice are coming in and out. But once you do, you’re golden.

One of us here remembers figuring out that there was a quarter inch gap in the foundation behind a water heater. That’s where they were getting in and out. I placed a bunch of traps around the baseboards in that whole utility room. Problem solved!

Proven Method #3: Pellet bait, although we prefer you not kill mice

Pellet bait is really effective for getting rid of mice. The mice eat it. They go back to their nest. The pellet poisons them, and they die.

The upsides of pellet bait are that you won’t have to deal with a live or dead mouse in the trap.

But there are downsides of pellet bait. First, you will need to worry about mice stinking up your house as they die and as their bodies decompose. (Sorry to be graphic, but we are talking about the eradication of a rodent.)

Second, if you’re a pet owner, you need to protect your pet. Plastic pet covers exist to ensure your pet won’t eat the pellet bait.

Proven Method #4: Keep them out by plugging the holes they squeeze through

You’re going to need to find those holes and it may mean having to pull out the bread drawer, book case, etc. Where have you seen evidence of the mice, like little poop pellets? Look there.

You’re going to need to caulk up the gaps, repair rotten wood around windows and basement windows. It’s a good idea to shove steel wool (which mice can’t chew through) into the cracks of things you can’t repair, such as in a 100-year-old round field stone fireplace.

When you need to call a professional

Honestly, you can do most of this work yourself so let us offer this advice: The smartest way of getting rid of mice is to first find all those holes and gaps into your house that often can be so small you won’t want to believe it.

If you have done your best but just cannot locate any mice-friendly ports of entry, that’s when you need to call Environmental Pest Management Systems.

If you’ve gone over every inch of your home, laid traps and introduced pellets, and if you’re still hearing that creepy scampering in your walls or overhead, then please call us!

Also Read: What’s The Best Method of Pest Control for Apartments?

We are really good at figuring out where rodents are getting in. Blocking ports of entry is the most cost-effective and humane way to solve the problems caused by this urban and rural pest.

Don’t give unwelcome mice another thought. Call us at 952-432-2221.

And, by the way, we know how to handle a lot of other pests as well so keep that in mind.

August 16, 2018January 22, 2024

Step by Step Guide to Bat Removal

Though there are many different types of bat species noted in the United States, it is normally the bat types that live in colonies which are problems to homeowners.

Though bats aren’t aggressive, they are considered a challenge when large colonies of them begin to live in buildings and the roofs in peoples’ homes. Their feces, better known as guano, accumulates very quickly and is a perfect place for Histoplasmosis to grow. Histoplasmosis is a fungus which humans can pick up by simply breathing that causes fungal diseases. The other potential problem with colonizing bats in the possibility of rabies that has been known to cause death in humans and pets.

If you know you have a bat problem and plan on removing the bats yourself, there are things you should know.

Also Read: 6 Effective Ways to Get Rid of Bees Naturally

Bats: Importance and Behavior

The more you know about bats before you attempt to remove them from your home, the better.

Bat removal should be taken on by those who know what they are dealing with or professionals. Knowing their importance and behavior will help when it is time for them to be removed.

Bats are vital to our ecosystem, especially the colonies. These flying mammals eat incredible amounts of insects and can control large insect populations quite well. There are some bats that not only eat substantial amounts of bugs but also help with pollination and the dispersion of seed, which increases the number of plants that are essential food sources for humans and plant-eating animals.

Bats are also a great, natural way to gauge the health of the environments we live in. Bats populations grow well where the environment is strong and healthy. If bats are not present where they usually should be, it is an excellent indicator that the area is not healthy.

Also Read: Bat Control

Bat behavior is critical to know when you are considering removing a bat colony from your home. They are night creatures that sleep during the day and begin to come out just before the sun has set.

Most colonizing bats that create large roosts or nests are females who colonize together in attics, towers and other human-made structures where they can get in. Knowing this should help you when it is time for the exclusion of the bats from your home.

Steps to Bat Removal

Investigation: We have already talked a little about the research above. But there are other things you should know about your bats as well. What type of bats do you have? How big are they? When do they give birth? This last question is crucial to know because the birthing season is the worse time to plan your exclusion process. It would be a disaster to have baby bats trapped in your home and the mothers caught outside. The chance of ending up with a significant amount of dead baby bats in your home creates a bigger job for you – not to mention the possibility of it being illegal as well as inhumane. Exclusions, therefore, should be done when the babies can fly.
Inspection: Research the common entry points for bats into your home, and inspect them first. Vents and ridge caps are big on this list. Damaged areas, like missing boards or bricks and any small openings, are potential entries as well. Look for signs of bat excrement and check those areas. Roofs are excellent places to find entryways because they are well-situated for them to see when they are flying. If you are going to do this on your own, take the time to inspect your roof and chimney then fix what openings you can, making sure you leave their main entry open.
Set up your exclusion device: Buy the exclusion device that is best for your home, whether netting, funnels or cones. We don’t believe in killing the bats; we want them to live and do their job for the environment. Make sure you place them so that the bats can fly out of your home but not back in. Remember, this is best done at night when most of them are already out and eating. Whatever exclusion device you decide to use, do your research and make sure you set it up correctly as it is not as easy as it sounds.
Observe: Once you have set up your devices, take the time to watch and make sure they are working correctly. Setting up a one-way device means you need to make sure it is one way. If it seems like it is working well, leave it up for a few days to ensure all of the bats get out.
Check that the bats are gone: After a few days, check and make sure all of the bats have left. If this is the case, remove your exclusion devices and repair these openings and be sure sure that they are fixed correctly, as you don’t want the bats to return by finding a way back in nor to have to start the process all over again.
Clean up time: The bats were a problem but so is their guano. Once the bats are gone and can’t get back in, remove the guano and decontaminate the area. You need to remove the guano and thoroughly decontaminate the former nesting area. Bat guano can ruin your home structures as well as be a breeding ground for disease.

You have all of the information you need for successful bat removal, but should you do it? You can do it, and hopefully, the tools above will help you. But if you want it done right the first time, contact a professional and save yourself the grief.

July 23, 2018January 22, 2024

6 Methods to Get Rid of Bees Naturally in Minnesota

Most of us are aware of the vital job that bees do for the planet, but having bees around our homes can present a bit of danger since they sting. Then there is the problem of how to get rid of bees and their hives without using toxins.

Learning how to get rid of bees naturally can come in quite handy for those who want to get out there and tackle the problem themselves. Below, we are going to talk about why we should find ways to remove bees without killing them, why we should remove bees from around our homes, and six ways to get rid of bees naturally. It’s time to learn how to remove bees so that you can enjoy your yard and home without worry about getting stung.

Bees Are Important

Usually, when we think of bees, we don’t think about them in a good way. The first thought that comes to mind is being stung. We understand that. Bee stings not only hurt us but also kill the bees. But let’s not forget that bees are vital to our planet.

Bees are responsible for a lot of the food other mammals and humans eat. Yes, there are other methods of pollination, but bees are responsible for about one-sixth of the pollination that occurs, and they pollinate a number of agricultural plant types, i.e., our food.

Also Read: Bee and Wasp Control

The very work of pollination is a wonderfully natural way to maintain our system of food production. We already hear of food shortages and people starving. This problem would be accelerated if there was a decrease in bees.

So do we need bees? Yes. But there are times when we need to be wary of bees.

Why Should You Get Rid of Bees

- Allergies to bees: There are people with allergies to bees so severe that they could die from a simple bee sting. If there is someone in your family with a bee allergy, it is essential to do what you can to make sure there are no bees around your home. Learning how to get rid of bees is a piece of knowledge that can save them a visit to the emergency room–or even save their life.
- Bee Stings: Most of us have been stung by a bee at least once in our lives. We can all agree that bee stings hurt. If you have a bee nest or hive near your home, the chance of bee stings greatly increases for you and your family. Some bee stings are worse than others, and sometimes the location of the nest, like in the ground, can increase the chance of multiple bee stings for your children or pets, which may be out playing in the yard.
- Aggressive Bees: Bees can be bad enough when they aren’t feeling aggressive, but sometimes they can amp up and go on the offensive. The reasons why they can become more aggressive include a lack of flowers in the area to pollinate. Other stressors are hot weather and feeling a need to protect their nest. The possibility of dealing with bee aggression is an excellent reason to look for ways to get rid of them from your home.

How To Get Rid of Bees: Home Remedies

There are numerous ways to get rid of bees naturally. Some of these methods are safe for the environment but kill the bees, while others are safe for both the bees and the environment. Below are six ways to get rid of bees.

Call a Beekeeper: If you live in an area where you can find a beekeeper, this is an amazing first choice. Beekeepers are professionals when it comes to working with bees. A beekeeper would more than likely love to take the beehive and take care of the bees and keep them alive.
Soda: Bees love sweet liquids. This method involves cutting a soda bottle or can in half and filling it up with a very sweet soda, then placing it in an area where you have noticed a lot of bees. The bees will be attracted to the soda and come to drink it. Note, this method is environmentally friendly but will kill the bees as they will eventually drown in the soda.
Moth Balls: There are some smells that bees don’t like and mothballs are one of them. To use mothballs, hang them near the bee nest or nests, and eventually, the smell will deter the bees from coming back. You can also hang mothballs in different places around your yard to keep your entire yard bee-free.
Vinegar Spray Solution: Vinegar spray is a great natural way to get the bee out of your yard, as well as simple to make and use. Just mix equal amounts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle, shake and the mixture on the nest when the bees are sleeping, at night, as well as around plants where you tend to see a lot of bees. This mixture will kill the bees, so make sure you remove all of the dead bees.
Cinnamon: If you find a hive and want the bees to relocate without killing them, consider sprinkling cinnamon around their hive every day for about a week. The smell will send the bees looking for a place to relocate.
Repel Bees Using Plants: A great way to keep bees out of your yard without having to remove them or kill them is to plant bee repelling plants around your home. Having these plants around your home should prevent bees from even stopping there. Citronella, Mint, and Eucalyptus plants are good bee repelling plants and easy to grow. If you’re not much of a gardener, try citronella candles to help repel many types of bees.

When To Call In a Professional

There are going to be times when calling a professional will be your best option, even if you are comfortable attempting to get rid of the bees yourself. Bees can make nests in tricky spots like the ground, in the siding of your home, and other hard-to-reach areas. This is what professionals do for a living, so tap into their expertise.

We understand that getting the bees away from your home is essential to you. We also understand that bees are crucial to the earth and do a fantastic job at helping provide food and beauty to the planet. Finding a way to keep your family and the bees safe is a top priority for Environment Pest Management as it is for you.

If you would like more information about bee removal in Minnesota, give us a call. Pest control is what we’re all about, and we would be happy to help you.