If you hear rustling in the roller shutter box, mice are not far. The rodents can cause high damage, which makes it necessary to control them. Appropriate methods will help you.

In a nutshell

  • Reasons for the animals to settle are sources of food, free access and flight from cool temperatures
  • an infestation can damage the insulation, resulting in higher heating costs
  • Excretions such as faeces and urine can pose a health risk
  • A path into the interior can be uncovered via belt guidance, which could increase the infestation
  • the best options are removing food sources, closing off access routes, and capturing and relocating the animals

Fighting mice: 3 methods

Mice in the roller shutter box can be combated using various measures. The signs of an infestation are clear. There is a rustling noise in the roller shutter box, occasionally feet, eating noises or beeping can be heard. Especially at night, many people become aware of the "subtenants". At the same time, when using the roller shutter, remains of the insulation or excretions such as feces falling out of the guide can be discovered. Rarely, an unpleasant odor is noticeable. Sometimes you can even see one of the animals, especially when you open the box, which is not recommended. How to proceed against the mice, you will learn in the next sections. At the latest, you should take care of it when the belt guide is damaged. Otherwise the animals will get into your apartment.

Tip: If you've been thinking about getting a cat, an infestation is the ideal time for one. Cats find the access routes of the rodents without any problems, lie in wait there and noticeably decimate the mouse family over a longer period of time.

Eliminate food sources

The removal of food sources is particularly important when controlling mice in the roller shutter box. In most cases, mice will only settle in your premises if it is too cold or if food is easily accessible. Food sources are often overlooked, which literally represent found food for the rodents. This includes:

  • windfall
  • compost
  • hanging or scattered birdseed
  • poorly sealed garbage cans
  • easily accessible pantries
  • Stock for forage

If these are found in the immediate vicinity of your window, you must assume that the mice will choose the roller shutter box as their new home in order to get permanent food. For this reason, make sure that the animals do not get to the leftovers or your supplies. This point goes hand in hand with the numerous shelter options such as wild corners in the garden or an abandoned bird's nest, which are also occupied. Don't give the mice a chance to settle down.

close accesses

While removing available food sources reduces your property's attractiveness to rodents, the job is far from over. Often overlooked is the need to seek out and seal openings used by mice to enter the house and shutter box. This can include not only a small hole in the balcony door or a climbing plant right by the window. The following list highlights some places to check:

  • Downpipes near windows or doors (often without eaves grille)
  • Masonry openings for ventilation and drainage
  • basement stairs
  • damaged lines
  • cable channels
  • Windows or joints (leaky)
  • damage to the roof
  • permanently open doors or windows

There are numerous ways to close the entrances. In most cases, a robust grid with a maximum mesh width of six millimeters is sufficient. Although mice can squeeze through the smallest openings, these dimensions are not possible and are used for this reason. The entrances can also be bricked up or plastered. Do not use wood, styrofoam or other materials that rodents can bite through. Strip brushes are also popular because the animals can hardly overcome them. Protect your interior from rodents. Don't fight the animals with it. They must first have been expelled from the roller shutter box, otherwise they will die there. This can lead to further problems as a carcass rots in the wall or pipe.

Tip: You can place strong scented oils near the entrances to scare away the animals. Mice are sensitive to scents such as vinegar essence, cloves, peppermint oil or other essential oils and for this reason do not always dare to enter the corridors that are already in use.

capture and relocate

An important step in containing the "plague" is removing the entire family of mice. It does not matter whether the previous measures worked or not. Not only do you catch the animals, you also move them far away from your property so that they can no longer find their way back into your roller shutter box. You need the following equipment for this process:

  • bait
  • live traps

Live traps ensure that the animals are not killed. These are set up near all suspicious entrances before they are closed. Do not use mesh or wire traps if you do not want to injure the animals. If you want to catch them on your own, plastic or bucket traps are recommended. Suitable baits for baiting are:

  • cat food (dry)
  • dog food (dry)
  • Sausage (no sausage spread)
  • sweet spreads (hazelnut or chocolate cream)
  • cheese
  • bacon
  • vegetables
  • fruit
  • nuts

Mice will eat plentifully and will not shy away from the bait. Check the traps regularly during the day and do not set them up when the temperature is below zero if you do not want the animals to die. Since most of the access points to the roller shutter box are outside the heated premises, the rodents can quickly freeze to death. Gather multiple specimens in a bucket until released. This should be at least 50 centimeters high, as the rodents are good jumpers. Once you've captured the animals, relocate them at least 100 meters from your property. A distance of 500 meters is recommended. Ideally, look for an unused piece of forest or something comparable for the animals as a new place to live. Do not relocate them near other houses or stables.

frequently asked Questions

Is it worth using mouse poison?

Mouse poison is one of the most classic methods of removing mice from your own four walls. The biggest problem with this, however, is the risk that your pets and, in rare cases, family members could consume the poisonous bait. For this reason, the use of toxins should be avoided completely. In addition, the animals die miserably, which could speak against their use.

When should a professional be hired?

An exterminator is the point of contact if the infestation is difficult to solve. A typical problem that speaks for a professional is hardly recognizable accesses. If you drive away the mouse family but they return within a short time, the exterminator can be of help. Professional help is also recommended if you are afraid of setting bait or traps that could harm family or pets. Professionals know exactly how and where they can be safely placed.

Which windows and doors are particularly badly affected?

In order for a mouse or a family to have access to the roller shutter box, there must be general access to the house. The rodents have it particularly easy when it comes to windows and doors that face the garden or on an unused hill. Since the animals stay there more often than on the side of the house facing the street, it is not surprising that they find a way into the building.

How is an infestation prevented?

After the rodents have been expelled from the roller shutter box, prevent further colonization by following the measures already presented even more intensively so that the animals no longer visit your premises. The focus is primarily on the permanent elimination of food sources and the blocking of possible access points. In addition, the roller shutter box should be cleaned or replaced so that the rodents can no longer use the smell to orientate themselves.

Category:

Garden pests