Mouse-Proof Your House
Winter is fast approaching and the time has come to mouse-proof our homes, garages and garden sheds. Or at least, that is what we tell each other, pretending that mouse-proofing is a task that can easily be accomplished.
In fact, mouse-proofing is nearly impossible. Only a steel box with welded seems is truly mouse-proof and I pity anyone who tries to live in those circumstances. The rest of us — those who live in houses designed for humans — must satisfy ourselves with mouse-resistant structures.
Please look at the nail on your little finger. If you are a person of average proportions, the nail on your little finger is approximately twice the size of the smallest opening a mouse can squeeze through. So if you would hope to prevent mice from wriggling their way into your garage, garden shed or house, then you will have to find and seal every opening that size and larger.
With your house, this is probably doable. Thanks to building codes, most homes have few points through which mice can easily gain entrance. Garages and sheds, alas, are not built to the same standard. Therefore trying to plug every potential mouse hole in these structures is probably not the best use of your time.
A better idea is to clean out these areas in order to deprive rodents of food and shelter. If you do this, then there will be no reason for these uninvited guests to stay at your place this winter.
Remove all garbage and garbage receptacles. Thoroughly sweep the floors to remove any crumbs. Move all food, including pet food and bird food, indoors. If you can’t do this, then seal everything in glass or metal containers. But remember that the smell of food is often enough to keep rodents hanging around all winter.
Once you have removed all food from these structures, check to ensure that the ground beneath your outdoor bird feeders is thoroughly cleaned. If necessary, relocated your feeders; they should be far away from any structures that might offer mice convenient shelter.
In addition to food, be sure to remove any and all materials that might be used to build nests. Seat cushions, patio umbrellas, boot liners, rags and many other items made from or covered in fabric are ideal for nesting mice. If you can’t move these things to less accessible areas, then seal them in air tight containers or hang them high above the ground. They won’t be mice-proof, but they will be mice-resistant.
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Brent Johner has been writing about urban wildlife since 1998. Many of the articles here first appeared in the Calgary Herald, Calgary Gardening magazine or on Talk About Wildlife. Brent has also done dozens of radio, television, newspaper and magazine interviews on the subject of urban wildlife.
I appreciate with you that Winter is fast approaching and the time has come to mouse-proof our homes, garages and garden sheds also Seat cushions, patio umbrellas, boot liners, rags and many other items made from or covered in fabric are ideal for nesting mice……