How to Keep Mice Out of Kitchen Drawers & Pantry in Belleview, FL; Rodent Proof Containers & More
Now that Winter is here, our Summer pests have finally gone away, and the overwintering pests are looking for a warm place to spend the next few months. Although we never get too cold for too long here, house mice are going to be making their way indoors to overwinter. The wonderful smells coming from the kitchen this time of year are all too tempting for house mice to resist. House mice are a serious problem throughout the entire United States, they are one of the only mouse species who thrive and live mainly around homes and on farms. Our homes are the ideal environment for mouse mice. They tend to find everything they need in or around our homes and where you find one you can be sure there are more. House mice are social rodents and tend to stick together in family type groups. They are also nocturnal, coming out at night to forage, collect nesting materials and get water. Leaving food out over night that is not properly stored can be a recipe for disaster and our pantries are prime feeding ground for these unwelcome house guests. Pest 911 will offer some advice and give you pro tips for keeping your pantries and food safe this season!
Rodent Proof Food Storage Containers & Other Tips
Store food off the ground – It’s never a good idea to store bags or boxes on the ground. Mice have a keen sense of smell and food on the floor is an easy meal for them. House mice are prey animals, their instincts will tell them to stay hidden and remain unseen. They stick close to walls and like to take cover under or behind objects that will keep them well hidden. Food on the floor offers not only a free buffet, but a hiding place. House mice can jump as high as 12 inches straight into the air, any food stored below that height is at risk of contamination. If you must store things on the floor, do so in an airtight, thick plastic container, or trash can with a tight lid.
Mouse proof storage containers – The safest place for food to be stored is in airtight containers. By keeping food in its original packaging, it is vulnerable to be contaminated by house mice. Once a mouse has chewed through a box or bag, the food is contaminated and must be discarded. If you store food in plastic containers with tight fitting lids, or glass jars, you can eliminate a food source for these uninvited dinner guests.
Keep food rotated – It’s easy to forget about that bag of rice that gets lost in the back of the pantry somewhere. If you make a schedule and rotate your food every month, you can keep tabs on what all you have in your pantry while effectively watching for signs of rodent activity. While rotating, give your pantry shelves a good wipe down with a food safe sanitizer to keep things as clean as possible.
How to Keep Mice Out of Your House
Regular housekeeping is one of the most important steps you can take to deter house mice from making their way into your home. Keep dishes washed, counters cleaned, trash taken out and floors swept and mopped regularly. This will eliminate possible food sources and deter mice from making your home theirs. Never store trash cans next to your home, try to keep them at least 15 feet away from the structure. Keeping your yard clean and vegetation trimmed and away from the structure will limit hiding spaces and keep your yard pest free. Seal up any holes or cracks you find right away. Mice only need an opening a ¼ inch in size to gain access to a dwelling. If you see a mouse in or around your home, setting traps with peanut butter as bait is an effective way to get them out of your home.
Rodent Control
Pest 911 offers pest control services for all types of mice and rats. If you have further questions or need assistance with rodent removal, give us a call.
