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What attracts mice?
Dealing with a rodent infestation can feel complicated, but like most critters, mice are after just three things: food, shelter, and water. Since our homes have those in abundance, it’s no surprise that rodents want indoors too. The key to preventing rodents is making it challenging for them to access the things they need for survival. To make your space less attractive to mice and rats, follow these steps:
- Seal off entry points so rodents can’t get indoors.
- Remove clutter so rodents don’t have nesting materials.
- Clean up food spills and trash to cut off their food source.
- Repair any moisture issues to cut off their water supply.
- Work with a licensed rodent exterminator.
How do Rats Get Inside?
Rats and mice are incredibly resourceful when it comes to finding their way indoors, and they’re capable of squeezing through extremely small openings. In fact, rats only need an opening about half an inch in size, and mice can crawl through even smaller entry points! Here are some common ways rats get indoors:
- Gaps and cracks: They can squeeze through surprisingly small openings, even as small as a quarter-inch for mice and half-inch for rats. Any gaps in doors, windows, foundations, or walls are potential entry points.
- Vents and pipes: Gaps around utility lines, plumbing, and vents provide easy access for these rodents.
- Doors and windows: If doors don’t seal properly or have gaps, or if windows are left open without screens, it’s an invitation for them to enter.
- Chewed openings: Rats and mice have strong teeth that allow them to gnaw through various materials like wood, plastic, or even metal to create their own entrances.
- Attics and basements: Unsealed entry points, such as gaps around pipes or vents leading into these areas, can provide easy access.
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What Do Rats & Mice Eat?
Rodents aren’t very picky when it comes to food. They’re scavengers that will eat just about anything they can get their paws on, from trash to food crumbs. Mice are smaller, so they have a slightly lower appetite than rats, but they’re omnivores that will eat things like grains, vegetables, fruits, and nuts. Rats are less picky but are particularly drawn to calorie-dense items like cheese, fish, nuts, and old pet food.
Are You Attracting Mice and Rats to Your Home?
If you keep coming across rats or mice in your property but aren’t sure what’s attracting them, reach out to the experts at Econex Pest Management! Since 1998, our team has specialized in helping home and business owners protect their space from unwanted critters. By implementing Integrated Pest Management techniques, we can pinpoint the root cause of your infestation and ensure your pest problem doesn’t come back.