Have you seen a mouse in your home? Maybe you have only heard scrabbling or found unusual droppings. If you suspect that one or more mice have found their way inside, you need to take action immediately. Mice reproduce extremely quickly, so if you see one, you probably actually have many more. Mouse removal is one option, but mouse control is a more comprehensive option that many homeowners do not consider until the situation worsens.
These two tactics often share similar approaches, but they can lead to vastly different results. As you consider what to do now that your home is challenged by mice, keep these key differences between mouse removal and mouse control in mind.
Key Takeaways
- Getting rid of mice can be done using either mouse removal or mouse control, but they may lead to different results.
- Mouse removal addresses a current issue, but it does not prevent mice from returning once the problem is solved.
- Mouse control (also called exclusion) finds the underlying reasons why mice are targeting your home and stops them from colonizing it in the future.
- Getting rid of mice is best left to professionals who have protective gear to keep them safe from mouse-borne illnesses such as hantavirus.
Mouse Removal and Mouse Control: What Is the Difference?
Both mouse removal and mouse control sound like the same process: getting rid of mice. However, they approach the process differently.
Mouse removal
Removing mice simply means eliminating their presence from an area, and nothing more. Once you can no longer see mice, treatment stops. Think of how a person might lay down a mousetrap. Then, when they catch a mouse and stop hearing squeaks or finding droppings, they go back to their normal routine.
Mouse control
Controlling mice is a longer-term solution. Also called exclusion, mouse control is a proactive method that addresses not only existing pests, but also the long-term likelihood of their return. By controlling the environment, you can typically reduce the need for removal services.
Tips for Mouse Removal
As noted earlier, mouse traps are one option for removing mice. Remember that most traps will not hide the mouse from your view, so if you get queasy at the prospect, choose your traps carefully. There are also humane options available.
However, you should avoid using poison when addressing an active mouse infestation. Many predators, such as owls, rely on mice for food, and poisoned mice can kill owls and other animals as well.
Another option for mouse removal is perimeter treatments. This can discourage mice from approaching the home (so that once they are out, they stay out), but it does not last and is intended only as a short-term solution.
How to Approach Mouse Control
Mouse control is a holistic option for an entire property. Exclusion focuses on stopping the pests from entering your home (or returning) in the first place. Thus, barrier options are common, blocking the animals from finding a way in. You can do this in multiple ways:
- Caulking gaps
- Repairing damaged/cracked areas
- Adding stainless steel mesh to gaps that cannot be closed
In addition, it is important to remove elements that make your home appealing to mice in the first place. Be sure to:
- Clear any landscape debris (e.g., wood piles, piles of leaves, thick grass, especially against the house)
- Keep the floors clean from crumbs and food sources
- Air out musty spaces
- Seal foods in chew-resistant packaging (e.g., glass jars)
Mouse exclusion is best handled in collaboration with a professional who can identify the specific vulnerabilities in your home that are causing the infestation. Otherwise, you may be overlooking an important factor that undermines the effectiveness of your other steps.
Which Option Is Best?
Every person and home situation is different, but in general, mouse control/exclusion is the preferred choice over mouse removal. Removal is a temporary measure; it does nothing to prevent mice from returning to your property. If mice are in your home, itās likely because they have found it appealing.
If you are considering mouse control, choose a professional team with experience. Not only can their knowledge help you to achieve a better result, but they also have personal protective equipment that you likely do not. This keeps them (and you) safer from mouse-borne illnesses such as hantavirus.
Get Help with Mouse Control from the Professionals
If you are experiencing a mouse problem or even suspect mice are present, acting quickly is the best way to prevent an infestation. Mouse control can equip your property with a long-term strategy to keep these pests away. The professionals at Spartan Animal & Pest Control can create a customized strategy based on your homeās specific vulnerabilities so that mouse problems are a thing of the past. Contact Spartan to schedule a visit!
