10 cleaning habits that attract mice to your home

These common habits could get you with a serious infestation of pests before you know.


Cleaning your home can often look like an ungrateful task. It is tiring and frustrating, and the second where you feel like you have finished a project, Another waste stands up his ugly head. However, if you avoid specific cleaning tasks - or perform them in certain ways - the shore and dust could soon be the least of your concerns. According to experts in the fight against pests, certain cleaning habits could attract mice to your home.

In relation: 11 cleaning habits that attract snakes to your home .

1
You store food in plastic bags.

chocolate chip cookies in a plastic bag on a counter
Shutterstock / Teerasak Ladnongkhun

Of course, hiding a sandwich bag sealed with remaining snacks in your pantry may seem to be a good way to keep a potential bastard contained, but this habit could leave you a mouse problem before you know.

"The mice are constantly looking for food sources, so to avoid attracting them, it is crucial to make sure that you have not left food in the open air or stored in non -sealed containers," explains Scot Hodges , a certified entomologist and pest expert with Arrow exterminators .

Lorne Hanewich , business trainer at The fight against termites and pests of Clark , suggests investing in glass or metal containers with secure lids to store food. "Label the containers with expiration dates to make sure you use food before it turns badly, reducing the chances of attracting rodents with expired foods," she adds.

In relation: 5 smells that mice mean have invaded your home .

2
You don't vacuum frequently.

Vacuum
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Vacuuming It may not be the most pleasant chore you make all week, but it's essential if you want to push the parasites. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

"Keep your floors clean, whether it is the carpet or the hard surface, is vital to prevent mice. The slightest trace of breadcrumbs or food spill on the floor can attract rodents, so make sure to vacuum frequently vacuum cleaner And to clean up the spills in your home as soon as early as soon as early as soon as early as soon as early as soon as early as soon as early as early as soon as early as soon as you possible, "said Hodges.

3
You let the dishes dip in the sink.

dishes soaking in the sink
Shutterstock / Studio Light and Shade

Let your dishes soak during the night in your sink can make them easier to clean the next morning, but this could also make your space more attractive for parasites.

"A free water source is a factor that brings back the mice, so be sure to cover any possible source of water," recommends Ethan Howell , co -owner of Florida Environmental Pest Management .

4
You leave your linen in batteries before putting it away.

Laundry basket with underwear and socks
Juijaiyen Nattapon / Shutterstock

Sorting and storing the laundry can take a surprisingly long time, leading a lot of people to leave their clothes clean in baskets or batteries for days at a time - and this could make your space a paradise for pests.

In relation: 8 foods that attract mice inside your home .

5
You use cardboard boxes to organize your basement.

white woman writing on cardboard boxes
Shutterstock / Milan Ilic Photographer

If you use cardboard boxes To keep the football out in your basement, it may not take long before the mice make their way in your space.

"Keep items in durable plastic bins with tight lids rather than cardboard boxes, because rodents can chew in cardboard," said Hanwich.

"These dark spaces give rodents the opportunity to create a nest out of sight of humans and make your home Richard Estrada , Owner of ATCO Pest Control

6
You leave pet food overnight.

brown and white dog looking up at camera with bowl of food in front of him on wood floor
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If your kitchen is a buffet overnight for your cat or dog, it also serves the same goal for mice.

"If the food is left on the ground, the mice can easily search for it and invade your home to try to access it," explains Estrada. "Make sure you keep pet food in an airtight container and clean animal bowls when they don't eat."

7
You do not remove your waste frequently.

A woman takes a trash bag in the kitchen.
Lunopark / Shutterstock

If you think you are tiering your trash bag is enough to prevent mice, think again.

"The mice have a large smell and can pass through exceptionally small spaces, so even if it looks like a few small crumbs, it is important to clean or rinse your trash cans and keep them doubled with bags", explains Meg Pearson , director of training at Bestiole control .

"The plastic bags do not offer any challenges to hungry mice. Make sure your garbage, especially food waste, is in a well-sealed container and that you regularly have it," said Nancy Dewitt , Owner of Patriot Pest & Termite Control Co . This helps if the garbage bags are resistant to tear and tight.

In relation: 8 plants attracting mice to your home .

8
You don't clean the drier vent.

white hand cleaning dryer vent
Shutterstock / Benjamin Clapp

When you forget to clean the plush toelles, you risk not only potential fires, but you also leave space for unwanted parasites.

"The plush makes a wonderful nesting material and will be easily collected by nesting mouse", explains Craig Sansig , director of services at Viking pest control . "Pregnant mice can actually show a preference for the nesting of materials on food later in their pregnancy."

9
You don't get rid of old food.

A woman reading the label on a can in her pantry
Istock / Valeriy_G

Do not clean your pantry or refrigerator can invite mice without knowing it in your home.

"It is important to regularly clean your refrigerator and your pantry for expired foods, because these articles can free even stronger or more convincing scents attracting mice," explains Pearson.

It is also important to clean the area under stoves and refrigerators. Chris Call , Director of the New York region at Fox pest control , says that over time, crumbs and food debris can accumulate on and under household appliances and provide food sources for pests.

10
You do not maintain your court.

Cutting lawn at sunny day.
istock

Outdoor cleaning is just as important as the tasks inside the house when it comes to keeping mice away. Hanewich suggests moving piles of wood and debris that rodents can use for the shelter. It also recommends landscaping with rodent -resistant plants and keeping the grass and cut bushes.

Sansig adds that you want to maintain your lawn interview even when time cools. "While weeds may not have survived the first frost, the seeds can stay and provide a source of food for mice. It is always better to eliminate weeds to help reduce natural fodder to The outside and finally reduce the external pressure of rodents on your home, "he said.

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Categories: Smarter Living
Tags: cleaning / Home /
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