Invaded by rodents? Discover humane and effective ways to reclaim your home

Small rodents, including mice, can infiltrate our homes unexpectedly and create quite a problem. They're searching for sustenance and a suitable habitat, which often results in them roaming the house, leaving behind a trail of destruction and excrement. Mice, and even rats, can be carriers of various bacteria and viruses, making it imperative to eliminate them as promptly as possible. Utilizing cats as hunters or laying traps are not very humane solutions, therefore, it is advisable to seek out alternative ways to deal with rodents. With the guidance we provide, you may part ways with mice sooner than you anticipate.

These tiny - and sometimes larger - rodents are a rather frequent issue. They often "move in" to our homes during the fall and winter, when the drop in temperature forces them to find shelter. Unfortunately, our homes prove ideal - they're warm, provide ample hiding spots, and usually have an abundance of unattended food just waiting to be pilfered. The presence of a rodent is usually indicated by scratched furniture, gnawed holes in various items, and dry, hardened droppings in the corners of rooms. Homes may also begin to smell unpleasant due to mouse urine, which they use to mark their territory.

Your immediate instinct might be to buy poison or traps, but this can be hazardous, especially when there are small children and animals in the house. Consuming even a handful of granules of a chemical substance can be fatal, and a trap can hurt anyone coming into contact with it. Fortunately, ousting rodents may be simpler than you imagine once you learn what instills fear in mice and rats.

Certain odors serve as repellents to these tiny pests, prompting them to keep their distance. Investing in certain plants that deter rodents with their scent is a beneficial move. This includes culinary herbs such as basil, peppermint, rosemary, and thyme. Regarding plants intended for ornamental purposes near the entrance, an effective deterrent against mice and rats is lavender. It should be positioned wherever the rodents could potentially gain access to our homes.

Interestingly, rodents are also deterred by materials like aluminum foil that produce a reflective surface. It can, therefore, be an effective measure to seal any cracks or crevices around the house using such material to keep mice at bay. If these methods prove ineffective, a special device can be purchased which repels unwanted visitors from your home using ultrasound, which is inaudible to humans.