Mice are highly adaptable and keen to exploit human food sources. They’re everywhere we are, and most people in North America struggle with a mouse infestation at some point. If you need critter control, learn how to get rid of mice in the attic with some safe and super-effective tips.
The local mouse population varies based on climate and available food resources. However, it’s safe to say your attic infestation is likely due to Mus musculus, or the ordinary house mouse, of which there are 38 species. These little mice can squeeze through a nickel-sized hole, build a nest, and procreate two hundred offspring in a 3-year lifespan.
Unfortunately, in addition to mice, rat control is also a concern in temperate climates. Members of the genus Rattus such as the Norway rat (brown rat), and the house rat (black rat, roof rat), are prolific in areas with a large human population and love to lurk in warm attic spaces. These tips also work on rats and are a great way to start a solid pest control routine.
The Best Way to Get Rid of Mice in Your Attic
While prevention is the best form of pest control, including growing mouse repellent plants, sometimes rodents find their way indoors. Learn about cruelty-free, natural methods for rodent control and information about getting rid of mice in the attic with blown insulation. These helpful hints are not to be missed.
Catch-and-Release Pest Control
When there are only a few unwanted mice, why not be nice? Consider a humane approach to pest management, and try a live trap. These handy little traps are a great way to get rid of mice in your attic or for getting rid of mice in your basement or attic without harming them and allow for catch-and-release rat control with minimal cost or effort.
Set the mouse free a mile or more from your home and in a wooded area; we don’t want them to become someone else’s problem. Strip your attic space of nesting material, seal holes, and plug crevices.
Get airtight containers for your seeds, cereals, and grains, and leave no trash can uncovered. Norway rats and roof rats eat anything; seal up your pet food, as almost any type of food attracts mice, rats, squirrels, chipmunks, and bugs.
How to Get Rid of Mice in the Attic With a DIY Mouse Trap
There are many clever ways to catch mice, but the best way to catch a mouse in an attic is with a bit of bait and a DIY live trap. This trap is easy to assemble, works for multiple mice at a time, and doubles as a rat trap if needed.
Drill one hole on both sides of the bucket directly across from one another, just under the rim. Cut the long section from the wire coat hanger, and poke the piece through one of the holes you just made.
Thread the coat hanger piece through the paper plate and into the hole on the other side. The paper plate should spin over the bucket, falling easily as the mouse climbs out for the peanut butter.
Set the sticks up on either side of the bucket as access points to the trap. Place this clever flip-trap in the attic as one of the most humane ways to get rid of rats in the attic or anywhere else you suspect a rodent infestation.
Always take your unwanted guests back to their natural habitat outdoors and at least a mile from your home. The bucket is deep, so you can pop the lid on and drop the critter off without even looking at it.
Contact Wildlife Control With Concerns
Perhaps you’ve spotted some nesting materials, mice droppings, a disturbance in the attic insulation, or damaged electrical wire but aren’t sure how to proceed. Your local wildlife control office is a great resource for information about disease control and wildlife removal. They usually have sound suggestions to kill mice naturally or for how to get rid of mice in the attic.
Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions; often, it’s best to get advice from wildlife professionals where rodent control is concerned. There are no silly questions regarding responsible critter control.
DIY Deterrent Spray for Rodents
The best way to get rid of mice in your attic is to make the space unlivable for freeloaders. It’s vital to find and plug entry points, cracks, and small holes within your home’s structure; they must be getting in somewhere. Once your defenses are bolstered, it’s time to consider a DIY rodent repellent that will take care of mice, rats, squirrels, and chipmunks.
Start with water, add the dish soap and peppermint oil, and mix well. Mice use pheromones to help with location, and peppermint oil inhibits that ability.
Regularly apply the rodent spray wherever mice congregate and notice how they don’t return. When you repel mice with scents, use essential oils with caution around pets – peppermint oil is toxic to dogs when ingested.
Snap Traps for Mice and Rats
Quite a few creative tricks teach how to get rid of mice in the attic. If you’ve exhausted many of them and have to use snap traps, choose a variety that offers the force of pressure required to be immediately fatal to mice and rats.
The old-fashioned snap trap varieties are ineffective, and the chances of finding a live, wounded rodent are much greater.
Pest control doesn’t have to be cruel, so we don’t advocate using a glue trap strategy in your rodent control routine. Glue traps are incredibly inhumane and only draw out the needless suffering of a mammal.
Getting Rid of Mice in the Attic With Blown Insulation
Let’s talk about getting rid of mice in the attic with blown insulation. Cellulose insulation, also called loose-fill or blown-in insulation, is ideal for small cavities such as your attic space.
It’s an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fiberglass and has a higher energy efficiency rating. However, it’s not moisture-resistant, so pest control methods involving spray pesticides or cleaning solutions get tricky.
Experts recommend starting an aggressive cleaning and rodent trapping routine immediately. Use a shop-vac or a rake to gather the insulation and disinfect the wood beneath. Keep the attic space completely clean of mouse droppings, food, and other debris that could draw more pests.
Use repellent scents like mint or peppermint to confuse and drive the rodents away, and don’t forget to apply liberally. Get mice out of the house by repeating the process until you’re satisfied every unwelcome mouse is gone, then reinstall your insulation over a plastic sheet.
Professional Extermination Services for Mice and Rats
Members of the genus Rattus like the brown rat or the Norway rat are prolific; they reach sexual maturity in three months and have 12 litters a year. It’s easy to see how a simple mouse problem quickly becomes a mice infestation nightmare.
Many companies offer a free on-site inspection and are happy to provide a quote to kill mice in your attic with safe, specialized pesticides. They’ll tackle any rat infestation or dead mouse on your behalf. In extreme cases, calling trained pest control professionals is warranted and recommended.
We hope you liked exploring pest control and how to get rid of mice in the attic quickly and effectively. If you find yourself wondering about a mouse problem, you likely have a mouse problem. Look for tell-tale signs like food debris, gnaw marks, or mouse droppings, and inspect your walls and window frames for cracks.
Repair all entry points as soon as possible, and plug small holes with steel wool. Always store pet food in airtight containers, and ensure trash cans have lids. Prevent mice from getting cozy; keep debris and leaves tidy to prevent hiding places. Make a checklist of pest duties to ensure consistent rodent control, and enjoy sweet peace of mind.
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