Getting rid of mice in the attic can be very easy with the right tools and measures. Here we show what is important.

In a nutshell

  • Odor agents are usually only effective for a short time
  • Noise can be used to drive away
  • Movement and controls prevent infestation and damage
  • other means should be employed in addition to expulsion
  • Traps and prevention of reinfestation often prove necessary

predators

Cats and dogs that are allowed to move freely in the attic can scare away mice comparatively easily and quickly. Anyone who has the appropriate pets can use them to evict them.
However, this variant also has potential problems and disadvantages. These include:

  • contagion with diseases
  • Uptake of toxins when the mice have ingested them elsewhere
  • Hunting instinct is increased
  • Transmission of parasites such as fleas, mites or worms

Tip: If the dog or cat spends more time in the affected areas, the smell and noise alone can have a repelling effect.

odorant

If you find traces of a mouse infestation, odorants can be used. Examples of possible signs include:

  • feces
  • Holes in walls or boxes
  • Gnawing marks on various surfaces
  • smell of urine

Sometimes noises can also be heard if the house is very noisy. However, you can rarely see the shy animals directly. If you discover such traces, you should look for the building. From here, tracks can often be followed relatively easily. This is important, on the one hand to eliminate the smell of the rodents and on the other hand to achieve a deterrent effect.
The following guide can help you do this efficiently:

mouse droppings
  1. Find traces: You can find the urine residues and other DNA traces with a black light lamp. It is crucial that the room is darkened.
  2. Cleaning: Disinfectants and enzyme cleaners can be used to remove traces. Experience has shown that it makes sense to use both agents and then carry out another check with the black light. Otherwise, re-tagging may occur and more mice will be attracted.
  3. In order to drive mice out of the attic, deterrent sources of smell can be brought in afterwards. For example:
  • brushed fur of dogs and cats
  • used cat litter
  • chlorine
  • cloths soaked in turpentine

Tip: You can stuff the odorants directly into the exit holes of the buildings and apply them to the gnawing marks. However, over time, the rodents get used to the absence of dogs and cats. These remedies are only effective for a short time and should therefore only be used in combination with other measures.

sounds and movements

The more often you go into the attic and check for mice, the more uncomfortable it becomes for them. Running around and possibly playing music or loud conversations have a deterrent effect and can drive the rodents away.
Regular checks of the attic and the installation of a radio usually do not have an immediate effect, but can prove to be very effective. In addition, these measures are inexpensive and easy to implement. Special ultrasonic devices are a special form of noise. They produce a high-frequency sound that is intended to scare away the animals and keep them away.
However, there are various problems and potential disadvantages associated with such devices.

  • in the long run, the mice can get used to the sound
  • ongoing costs from power consumption or batteries
  • Sound can also disturb other animals or people
  • comparatively expensive to buy

Although modern variants should no longer disturb people, young people in particular, but also pets, can still perceive the noise and find it unpleasant.

light

While mice are not necessarily nocturnal, they do prefer darker areas, such as an attic. If this is walked on again and again and the light is switched on, this also has a deterrent effect.
Alternatively, you can attach lamps in connection with motion detectors. The motion detectors should be at ground level and positioned exactly where animal tracks can be found.

Tip: Cameras with lighting and motion detectors can on the one hand scare off the light and on the other hand show whether it is really Mus musculus or other animals.

Prevent re-infestation

A number of measures should be taken to prevent reinfestation by mice or other animals. The following tips will help to scare away the rodents and keep them away:

  • Keep order: Properly stowed boxes and crates make it possible to quickly identify damage. They make regular checks easier and offer fewer hiding places for the animals.
  • Close entrances: The entrances to the buildings, but also to the attic, were to be searched for and locked. This prevents more mice from coming and the roof becomes unattractive as a shelter for the rodents.
  • Carry out checks: Regular checks help to identify traces at an early stage and to keep damage to a minimum. This means that action can be taken quickly and contamination can be avoided, as can damage to the insulation, walls and floor.

frequently asked Questions

Why do mice prefer the attic, basement and garage?

As a rule, these areas are used less often and offer the rodents protection from the weather and predators. This makes them ideal shelters for entire families of mice, just like summer houses or sheds.
In addition, these rooms are often used for storage and therefore offer numerous hiding places.

Why shouldn't poison be used?

Poisoned mice can often retreat into their burrows to die. If they die in the wall, this represents an enormous odor nuisance. In addition, insects can be attracted by the smell of decay.

Are live traps an alternative?

The traps don't keep the mice away, but they can definitely be a help. Once the animals have been captured and released far away, potential entry points can be sealed.

Category:

Garden pests