How To Get Rid Of Mice In Your Crawl Space
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How To Get Rid Of Mice In Your Crawl Space
An infestation of mice in your crawl space is definitely better than one directly in your home, but still must be dealt with as soon as possible.
Not only can the mice easily get into your walls and livable home, but their droppings (feces) and urine can get into ventilation systems and spread diseases.
Keeping mice away from your crawl space can be a challenge, especially if you live in a rural or woodsy area, but it is absolutely doable if you follow the steps outlined below.
Why Mice Like Crawl Spaces
Crawl spaces are ideal homes for mice. They provide shelter from the elements, protection from most predators, and in many cases close proximity to adequate food sources.
Mice love warm, damp places and crawl spaces fit that profile perfectly.
Get Rid Of Crawl Space Mice In 4 Easy Steps
Getting rid of mice in a crawl space isn’t really much different than getting rid of mice anywhere else, with a few noted exceptions.
Seal Entry Points
The first step to eliminating a mouse infestation is to seal off entry point to prevent any new mice from getting into the area.
A mistake that you could easily make is to underestimate just how small of a space a mouse can squeeze through. Rodents have very soft cartilage which allows them to squish down and fit through holes much smaller than their bodies. A mouse can fit through a hole the size of a dime, and a rat can fit through a hole the size of a quarter.
You will need to check very thoroughly, looking for any gaps or cracks in the cement or concrete. These holes should be filled with mesh wire, thick hardware cloth, or spray foam insulation.
Eliminate Food Sources
If you don’t give mice a reason to be around, they will be forced to leave. Food is the single biggest reason for a mouse to want to occupy an area, so getting rid of food sources is often enough to also get rid of the mice.
Never store food in your crawl space, and keep it free of any other organic material such as dead animals or decomposing plant matter.
Don’t forget that mice need to drink too! Eliminating water sources and moisture is also important. Even rain water that collects in your crawl space can be enough to attract mice.
Trap Existing Mice
Once you have stopped new mice from entering the crawl space, and taken away their reason for doing so in he first place, it’s time to get rid of any lingering rodents.
Mouse traps are usually the best way to do this. They are time tested and proven to work when used correctly.
You can find more information on the different types of mouse traps here, and if they don’t seem to be working, we can help with that too.
Cleanup
Once your rodents are all gone, you will want to clean up any droppings or feces left behind. Can only can mouse droppings spread disease and cause unpleasant odors, but it can also be a signal that attracts other mice to the area.
A vacuum can be used, but a respirator should be worn if you choose this method. You don’t want to be breathing in any particles kicked up by disturbing the droppings.
Summary
So there you have it, how to get rid of mice in your crawl space!
It’s pretty simple, really. Don’t give them a reason to be there, and they won’t be.
Non Toxic Spray
This non-toxic spray kills larvae, eggs, and adult insects by breaking down their exoskeleton. It is safe to spray around the home and works only on the insects. Feel good about spraying indoors around pets, plants and children.
All Natural Non Toxic Insect Killer Spray by Killer Green