How to prevent mice from entering homes: Seven simple steps to ‘mouse

House mice are one of the most common pests in the UK and will usually come indoors for shelter, to build a nest and to find food.

When it comes to food, mice love cereal and any item that’s high in fat, protein and sugar like bacon, grease, chocolate and dried fruit.

To deter mice and other rodents, homeowners need to ensure their property is clean, food is kept in airtight containers or in the fridge or freezer and any cracks and holes on the outside of the home are sealed.

Robert Collins at Myjobquote.co.uk, the UK’s leading trades matching site, has shared his tips on how to deter mice from entering homes and how to get rid of them once they’re indoors.

Robert exclusively told Express.co.uk: “If you want to deter mice, you must ensure that you clean and sanitise.

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“This includes both the inside and outside of your home. Clean up and remove any food sources that could be attracting the mice.”

Robert’s tips on how to deter mice:

Use glass or metal containers that can keep food safe and secure. Mice won’t be able to chew through glass or metal containers but they will be able to chew through plastic bags, cardboard and wood.

Leaving pet food out for long periods of time will attract mice. If the pet is finished with the food, throw it away or cover it and put it in the fridge.

The same goes for spills - try and clean these up “as soon as possible” to avoid attracting the pests.

Robert said: “Fabrics, rugs, and blankets make great nesting materials for mice. Consider storing these away until your mouse infestation is under control.”

Mice will chew through materials such as paper, cardboard, and plastic to create nests.

Rather than allowing materials to pile up in the home, dispose of recyclable items as soon as possible either in an outside bin or at a recycling centre.

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Any foliage and tree branches surrounding the property should be removed from the property’s grounds. Plants, trees and shrubs in gardens should also be trimmed back and kept neat so mice can’t hide.

If there are any rock piles, rubbish, or old equipment lying around, these need to be cleared.

Even a small crack or hole on the exterior of a property could be enough of an invitation for a mouse so it’s important they are all sealed.

Robert explained: “A major step in preventing mice from entering your property is sealing all of the entry points. If you have any tiny holes in your foundation, doorways, or siding, fill these in with caulk.

“Inspect your property and look for access points such as areas where pipework enters your home. Seal any gaps with stainless steel fabric, sheet metal, or mortar to ensure the area is mouse-proof.

“Seal your vents with metal grillwork and rust-resistant screening to prevent mice from getting through. Add door sweeps to the bottom of your doors to prevent mice from squeezing through the gaps under your doors.”

There are several types of mouse traps homeowners can use to get rid of mice. Below is some information on each type:

Snap traps

These traps provide a strong snap that will “instantly kill” the mice as they come into contact with the trap.

Snap traps tend to be the most widely available are affordable, however, they may be a hazard to curious pets or children so it’s important to keep them out of sight or out of reach.

Robert added: “These traps are best for controlling small mouse infestations in areas that are not commonly used such as in a garage or in the loft.”

Snap traps can be purchased from Temu for just £1.49 or £4.99 from Amazon.

Automatic multiple-catch traps

These traps come in two types – wind-up traps and low-profile traps. Wind-up traps use a spring platform to flip the mice into a large holding chamber. Low-profile traps use a trap door to catch and contain the mice and can be used for catching a lot of mice.

However, they won’t kill the mice and so homeowners will need to take the mice away and release them somewhere away from their property.