Your backyard is your personal oasis, a place where you can entertain guests for an outdoor party, relax with a book on your patio or work in your garden.
However, this space can also attract pests, especially mice, which can easily get into your home. If you're wondering what attracts these pesky creatures, we've consulted pest control experts to find out what features in your garden might attract mice to your home. Discover these mouse magnets and learn how to avoid them.
Bird feeders
If you have bird feeders in your garden, they can attract more than just robins and blue jays. The nuts and seeds that attract birds are also favorite food for mice. Pest control expert Megan Cavanaugh explains that mice are constantly on the lookout for food sources and will be attracted to any available source. To avoid attracting mice, be sure to place bird feeders at least 25 feet away from structures in your yard.
Composting
Composting is a great way to produce organic fertilizer from your home's waste, but it can also attract mice. The compost pile provides shelter and a food source for these rodents. To reduce the risk of attracting mice, invest in a sturdy plastic compost cup that lifts compost off the ground and keeps it out of their reach. Also make sure to keep composting areas at a safe distance from your home.
Natural footprint
Reduce excess vegetation in your yard by regularly trimming branches and removing dead leaves. Jim McHale, president of JP McHale Pest Control, points out that mice are attracted to debris such as twigs and leaves, which offer them refuge from predators. Eliminating these excesses will send mice looking elsewhere for cover. While the presence of mice outside your home doesn't necessarily mean they'll move inside, it does increase the risk.
Pet food
Mice are opportunists and will look for food wherever they can find it. Pet food is therefore an attractive option for them. Always keep pet food in sealed plastic containers, especially in places like the garage or basement where mice tend to hide.
Unsealed garbage cans
Like compost heaps and bird feeders, unsealed garbage cans can be a source of food for mice. Replace non-locking bins with bins with locking lids to prevent mice from gaining access. It's also a good idea to keep garbage cans in a closed garage for added security.
Unsealed cracks and holes
Inspect the exterior of your home for cracks or holes through which mice can enter. Mice can squeeze through openings as small as a quarter-inch. Seal any potential entry points, such as vents, windows or chimneys, with wire mesh or putty to keep mice out. These animals are capable of creating or enlarging holes to get inside, so be sure to take all necessary precautions.
Construction work
Construction or renovation work can inadvertently attract mice. By digging into the ground, new developments can cause mice to leave their original habitat and seek a new home, such as your house or its surroundings. If you're carrying out construction work, be aware of this possibility and take steps to avoid attracting mice.
Stagnant water
Like mosquitoes, mice are attracted to stagnant water and dark, damp spaces. Be sure to remove any excess moisture from a storm or leaking pipe, as this could attract more mice. Also make sure to keep water turned off in unoccupied buildings, as mice can easily contaminate human food and water supplies.
If you spot mice in your garden, it's important to act quickly, as they can contaminate food and water intended for human consumption. In such situations, it's advisable to call in a pest control professional to eliminate mice safely and effectively.
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