How to Get Rid of Mice This Winter

A mouse found in Peekskill NY - Garrie Pest Control

As we start to approach the coldest months of the year here in Peekskill NY, it’s important to start taking precautions against the pests that come with the season. Mice are one of the most common winter pests that we deal with at Garrie Pest Control, and we meet people every year that can’t seem to figure out why their mouse problem started. One of the smallest and sneakiest rodents, mice are well-equipped to sneak into our homes and nest undetected. To avoid mouse problems this winter, read on for our technicians’ best advice for at-home mice exclusion!

Why Do Mice Infestations Happen in the Winter?

Like all other wild animals around Peekskill NY, mice need to make sure that they have sufficient access to necessary resources to last them through the winter. They usually find everything that they need in our homes, and they’re able to sneak in with ease. When they break into your home, mice are looking for:

  • Warmth: First and foremost, mice sense the dawning of winter and scramble to find a reliable source of warmth. Living in our insulated walls suits them perfectly.
  • Shelter: Due to the rapid turnaround of their reproductive cycle, mice need to build nests in safe areas. They use scrapped paper, fabrics, and similar materials to build nests inside our homes.
  • Food: Mice love to sneak into our kitchens and trash cans to find any grain-based foods, produce, and more. They are able to stay adequately hydrated through their food consumption.

How to Keep Mice Out of Your Home

Mice are one of the hardest pests to get rid of on your own once they’ve established a nest and a breeding population. This means that you must put proper exclusion strategies in place to defend your home from the initial infestation. Here are some ways you can do so:

  1. Inspect your home for gaps and close them off. This could mean sealing cracks in the foundation and walls, covering vents, windows, and doors with screens, and more.
  2. Cut out their access to food. This means washing dishes promptly, cleaning up spills right away, taking out your garbage often, and using sealable trash bins.
  3. Keep your yard in proper order. By keeping your grass trimmed, yard waste cleared away, and mulch far from your home’s foundation, you can prevent mice from living in your yard, which is usually the first step to a home infestation.

Starting Mice Control in Peekskill NY

There is no better time than the present to start mouse-proofing your home. If you’ve taken all of these steps and mice are still invading your home, reach out to your local pest control company for help. At Garrie Pest Control, we take pride in our holistic rodent removal process—a complete property inspection to find all weak spots, safe and efficient mice removal work, and a full report identifying what has been done and what you can do to avoid further problems. Contact us today for a free quote!

Expect More Fall-Winter Pest Activity

What rats look like in Peekskill NY - Garrie Pest Control

With each passing season, a whole new group of pests passes through the area around Peekskill NY. New York is infamous for its unpredictable weather, and changes in rainfall, sunlight, and even barometric pressure all affect the active pest populations in the region. This means that pest prevention is an active and never-ending process for local homeowners.

If you’re looking to get ahead of our usual winter pest issues, read on. Garrie Pest Control’s technicians have some advice to share on recent weather patterns, how they have altered active pest populations, and what you can do about it!

Fall and Winter Pests in Peekskill NY

Have you noticed an increase in rainfall this autumn? With scattered waves of precipitation starting earlier in the year in 2021, certain pest issues have inflated, the most notable being mosquitoes and ticks. These blood-suckers thrive in warm and wet environments, so summer and early autumn rain allow them to sustain their breeding populations for longer than they usually would.

However, once temperatures drop to a consistent level of 50 degrees or below, rodent infestations become the primary problem. We expect to see consistent snowfall starting earlier this year, so rats and mice will be quick to look for homes to hide in for warmth and shelter during a long winter. Rodents are able to squeeze their bodies through smaller holes than an inexperienced homeowner might expect.

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) has put out their biannual Bug Barometer for Fall & Winter of 2021. You can read the full report here.

2021 Bug Barometer - Garrie Pest Control

How to Prevent Pests in the Colder Seasons

As the temperatures drop, and especially as snow starts to fall, we have to adapt our pest prevention strategies to keep up with pertinent pest pressures. Here are three important ways to reduce your chances of an infestation this fall and winter:

  1. Make sure there are no gaps through which rodents can enter your home. Look around your home for cracks in the foundation and walls, broken vents and roofing, or gaps under windows and doors.
  2. Be careful with food and trash. Make sure you clean up promptly after your meals, sealing your food in airtight containers. Additionally, use sealable trash bins and take your garbage out often.
  3. Maintain your yard. Piles of firewood and yard waste will create temporary hiding places for rats, mice, and other pests. Also, keeping your grass cut short will prevent standing water from pooling up in your yard. This will limit mosquito and tick activity.

Need Help with Pest Control in Peekskill NY?

Whether you’re having trouble keeping pests out of your home or you’re not sure if you’re taking the right steps to prevent pest problems, the technicians at your local pest control company can help. Our techs at Garrie Pest Control can help you inspect your property for vulnerabilities, complete any necessary pest extermination or removal, and follow up with preventative treatments as necessary to keep your home clean all year long. Contact us today for a free quote!