Having rats or mice in your home is frustrating, and sometimes even scary. The tap-tap-tap of their scurrying through your home is enough to want to get rid of them, but they also carry diseases, forage for your food, and can even damage your home.
Unfortunately, traditional methods of getting rid of mice involve poison and traps that are dangerous for your dog. This article will show you the safest ways to rid your home of rodents without harming your dog.
How to Tell if You Have Mice in Your Home
Before you start with eradication methods, it’s best to be sure you do have mice or rats in your home.
One of the key signs that you have a rodent problem is droppings. Mouse and rat droppings are small and typically found in clusters in corners around your home. Check in drawers, cabinets, closets, and other crawl spaces for evidence.
Other tell-tale signs of mice and rats in your home include:
- Teeth marks and damage to food boxes, furniture, and walls
- Scratching, gnawing, or squeaking sounds
- Signs of nests
- Pathways of grease and urine
- Musky odors
How to Safely Get Rid of Rats & Mice in Your Home
If you’ve confirmed that you have a mouse or rat infestation in your home, you may be tempted to reach for traditional mouse traps. These often contain poison that’s deadly to your favorite fur babies, and the traps themselves can also be dangerous.
Instead, here are 3 methods to get rid of rats and mice in your home that are safe for your dog.
Natural Deterrents
Natural deterrent methods aren’t as effective as mouse traps, but they are worth a try.
You can use things commonly found in most spice cabinets. Sprinkle spices like cinnamon and cayenne pepper in the corners and crawl spaces you would typically find mice to dissuade them away from your property.
While these methods are non-toxic to your dog, spices like cinnamon and cayenne can irritate their eyes, so stick to cabinets and places your dog isn’t allowed or can’t reach.
Eliminate Entry Points
While this step won’t get rid of the mice that are already in your home, it will stop any more from entering, so you can more easily get the problem under control.
Locate the spots where mice are getting into your home and seal them. These are most commonly:
- Inside, under, and behind refrigerators, stoves, and kitchen cabinets
- Around the fireplace
- Around doors
- Around pipes under the sink or near your washing machine
- Around pipes near the water heater or furnace
- In the attic
- In the basement
- Around floor and dryer vents
- Around windows
- Around any holes for electrical, plumbing, cable, or gas lines outside your home
Trap EZ Trapping Station
The Trap EZ Trapping Station is the world’s first pet-safe, no poison, EZ trapping station for rats and mice. These trapping stations are pre-baited with organic, non-toxic lure formula that’s different than traditional pesticides, so you never have to worry about your dog (or your child!).
The trap is located inside the trapping station, away from the eyes and paws of your dog. Simply cut a hole in the box, place it in a location you’ve seen or heard the mice, and wait.
Once the mouse has been caught, you can easily dispose of the trapping station — no visuals and no mess for you to deal with.
The Trap EZ Trapping station is the easiest, worry-free way to get rid of rats and mice in your home.
5 Tips to Keep Your Home Rodent-Free
Once you’ve eliminated the mouse or rat problem in your home, you’ll want to prevent the rodents from returning.
Here are a few helpful tips to keep your home rodent-free:
- Vacuum and Regularly Clean Your Home
Rats and mice are attracted to food remnants and crumbs in your home, so keeping your home free of crumbs is the best way to discourage rodents. Vacuum your home regularly for crumbs, and clean all your counters and surfaces after you’re done preparing food.
- Put Your Food Aways Quickly
Don’t leave food sitting out for long periods of time.
If you’ve made leftovers, it’s best to portion and put them away quickly. If you have baked goods that you traditionally leave sitting out on the counter, consider a cloche or cover.
This also includes dirty dishes that may be left in the sink. Rinse and clean your dishes immediately, rather than leaving them in the sink as the food residue will attract pests.
- Cover All Trash Cans in Your Home
It’s easy to forget that trash cans are a common attractor of mice and other rodents. Once you through the food and crumbs away, it’s like out of sight, out of mind.
Make sure all your trash cans have lids that can securely fasten to prevent rodents (and your pets) from taking a peek inside.
Dog food is a major culprit of rodent attraction, as many pet parents simply fold up the bags of dog food or leave the food in a bin with a loose lid.
Store all of your dog’s food in air-tight containers. Not only does this help prevent rodents, but it’s better for the food as well. Dry food can go rancid if left to the air for too long.
Just like inside your home, the outside should be free of debris and garbage that may attract rats and mice to your home.
Don’t plant bushes or shrubs within three feet of your home, as these are safe habitats for rodents and easy access to your home. You should also clean up any dropped fruit from fruit trees and maintain your garden regularly.
Shop our Easy, Dog-Safe Trapping Station Today
If you’ve discovered a mice or rat problem in your home, don’t wait to get rid of them. Rodents can pose a serious risk to your health and your home.
With our Trap EZ Trapping Station, you can quickly and easily dispose of unwanted rodents in your home without jeopardizing the safety of your best furry friends. Shop our mice and rat trap today and get back to a peaceful, rodent-free home.