How To Get Rid Of Mice In Storage Areas

Mice gravitate towards places where they can live comfortably. This can include everywhere from attics and disused cupboards to garages and spare rooms. One of the places where mice are also commonly found are storage areas. But why does this happen and how do you get rid of mice in storage areas?

Why do mice like storage areas? 

If you want to get rid of mice problems in storage areas, you need to understand why mice love these places. There are several reasons for this. To begin with, mice do not like to interact with humans. They avoid us like the plague. This is simply because we could be potential predators. They know this, so they hide away from us. This makes storage areas perfect for them. Humans rarely visit these places, meaning mice are left undisturbed.

Storage areas also contain nesting materials, that are a huge attraction for mice. These creatures want soft bedding for their nests. Out in the wild they use things like grass and leaves. Indoors they substitute this with paper, cardboard, fabric and foam. Many of these materials are found in storage areas, giving mice easy access to them. Also, to a lesser extent, storage areas may provide mice with food.

So how do you get rid mice in storage areas? The easiest way is to keep them out in the first place. Mice usually enter these areas through cracks, gaps and holes. You need to do a thorough inspection and seal these up. Believe it or not, mice can fit through holes of about a quarter inch. This means that even the tiniest holes much be closed. Something you should also pay attention to is your door. Mice can squeeze beneath almost any door, so place a barrier across the bottom for effective mice proofing.

Action you can take to rid of mice in storage areas

You can also get rid of mice and prevent mice with traps. These are still highly effective. Traps include the common mouse trap as well as other more sophisticated versions. When baiting the trap, the very best thing you can use is peanut butter. Contrary to popular belief, mice do not go wild for cheese.

There are also DIY traps which work equally as well. The best example of this is the bucket traps. Basically, you place a bucket in the room with ramps leading up to it and one going part way across…like a diving board. At the bottom of this bucket you place some bait. The mice will run up the ramps and fall into the bucket when trying to reach the bait. After this, they will not be able to escape.

Other methods of dealing with mice include laying down rodenticide. You can also use something called “rat mats.” These are basically electrified mats. They deliver a nasty shock to mice that try to run over them, and this deters the rodents. Finally, if you cannot get rid of mice with these methods, then consider calling in pest control.