What to Do When You Find a Scorpion in Your Home

Scorpions are very common in the southern United States, as they prefer desert climates. Because they hide in dark, cool areas, they may find the perfect residence in the attic, basement, or crawl spaces inside your home. Seeing a scorpion inside your home is not a pleasant experience, and while most aren’t dangerous, there is one to be wary of in the Las Vegas area. Bark scorpions are the most common and, unfortunately, most venomous type of scorpion in North America. If you spot any type of scorpion in your home, give the experts at Western Exterminator a call to find out how they can be removed safely and effectively.

Identifying a Bark Scorpion in the Home

Because bark scorpions are so common in the Las Vegas area, it may be likely that scorpions found in the home are of this species. They are light brown in color, grow up to 3 inches in length, and have a thin tail with a curved stinger. Bark scorpions are adept climbers, congregate in very large groups, and may be found trapped in sinks or bathtubs, climbing walls, or in a dark closet in the home. Bites are very dangerous to humans and can cause numbness, tingling, blurry vision, and twitching muscles. If you are bitten by a bark spider, it’s crucial to receive immediate medical attention.

What to Do With Scorpions Inside Your Home

No one wants scorpions scampering around in their homes. The thought of them lurking in dark, cool places in your house is enough to call a professional to check out the situation for you. The experts at Western Exterminator can help you learn how to implement some of the following prevention and elimination tips:

  1. Implement proper exclusion techniques. It’s essential to inspect and seal any holes, cracks, or crevices on the exterior of your property that may let
  2. Eliminate places scorpions may linger. Placing potted plants on stands, storing outdoor bins away from the home, eliminating yard debris, and making sure your landscaping is tidy can all help keep scorpions away.
  3. Keep a tidy environment free of food crumbs inside the home to avoid other insects. Because scorpions feed on insects, they may be attracted to homes infested with them.
  4. Remove sources of standing water and moisture. Make sure your home’s pipes and plumbing works properly without leaks, as scorpions seek out water.
  5. For scorpions already in the home, lay glue traps, carefully use pesticides, and always take caution in trying to remove them yourself. Scorpions are quick, can be dangerous, and are difficult to get rid of. It’s typically best to simply call a professional exterminator to do the hard work for you.

Professional Scorpion Prevention and Control Services

Bottom line, scorpions are one of the most dreaded pests to find inside your home. While there are certainly methods to remove them yourself and plenty of tips on preventing them in the home, sometimes it’s best to call a professional, especially if you believe the scorpions in your house to be bark scorpions. At Western Exterminator, our expert technicians have the training and experience required to get rid of scorpion infestations and keep them away for good. Give us a call today to learn more about what to do with the scorpions in your home!

How to Prevent Spiders from Getting Inside Your Home

Spiders may be drawn to your home for a number of reasons. Most people loathe or dread the idea of spiders in their home, even though they are typically harmless.Black widows in the Las Vegas valley. Western Exterminator That said, the Las Vegas area harbors several dangerous spiders that you definitely don’t want hanging out in your home, including the black widow, desert brown recluse, and wolf spider. By being aware of what spiders to look out for in your house as well as implementing prevention tactics, you can effectively reduce the amount of spiders that find their way inside.

Dangerous Spiders in Your Home

While most house spiders are harmless and even help eliminate other insects in the home, there are several particularly aggressive types that should be avoided. When these do make their way inside, it’s important to call a professional who can remove them for you. The three types of spiders you should be wary of are:

  1. Black widow: This species is easily identified by their shiny black bodies and signature red hourglass marks on the abdomen. Western Exterminator protects Las Vegas valley residents from desert brown spiders.They are especially aggressive when they are defending their eggs, which is typically when a bite may occur.
  2. Desert brown spider: Cousin to the well-known and feared brown recluse spider, desert brown spiders prefer quiet, undisturbed locations in warmer climates. They are only aggressive if they are threatened, in which case they may bite.
  3. Wolf Spider: These fast-moving spiders have a unique Union Jack impression on their backs. Although less venomous than black widows and desert brown spiders, they are known to give painful bites when provoked.

Preventing Spiders from Coming Inside

If a spider’s outdoor environment simply isn’t doing it for them anymore, they are likely to seek out a new environment for food, shelter, or even mating reasons. Western Exterminator protects Las Vegas valley residents from wolf spiders.Taking preventative measures to ensure your home is not suitable for spiders is the best method of avoiding and controlling dangerous spiders infestations. Some spider prevention tips include:

  • Inspect the areas around your property for existing populations of spiders.
  • Identify any holes, cracks, or crevices on the exterior of your home and seal them.
  • Cut back bushes, trees, shrubs, and any other landscaping that is too close to the foundation of your home.
  • When cleaning inside your home, sweep every corner and remove cobwebs from ceilings.
  • Tightly seal food and keep a tidy environment inside to avoid insects spiders prey on.
  • Caulk the gaps in doors and windows, or install secure screens.
  • Keep attics, garages, and basements organized and free of clutter.
  • Thoroughly inspect or shake out boxes or other items from outdoors or the garage before bringing them inside.

Professional Spider Prevention and Control Services

If you’ve followed all the above prevention tips and still have spiders in your home, it may be time to call in a professional. Any dangerous spiders should also be taken care of by an expert, who can help keep spiders out of your home for good. At Western Exterminator, our technicians can be trusted to professionally and reliably eliminate spider infestations. Call us today for more information!

Why Do I Have Wasps in Winter?

Western Exterminator provides exceptional paper wasp control and removal in Las Vegas Nevada.The last thing you expect in the dead of winter is to witness wasps in or around your home. If they are seen, they are most likely paper wasps and are probably the future queens of a new colony. During the early fall, paper wasps begin to die off. Some of the females, however, remain alive in order to seek out new places to nest in a few month’s time. If you notice one of these wasps in your Las Vegas home during the winter season, it’s important to understand why it’s there and what you should do about it.

Paper Wasps in the Winter

After their male counterparts have died off, some surviving female paper wasps will begin to seek out a protected place to overwinter. Their winter survival guide includes some of the following behaviors:

  1. Because your home is a safe, warm escape from the dropping temperatures outdoors, female wasps often enter a house through small crevices near the roof lines.
  2. Once inside, they will often take up residence inside attics or in wall voids.
  3. When they have settled in, they will enter a state of diapause in order to suspend their development through the coldest months of winter.
  4. They likely won’t be active again until spring, but warmer winter weather can compel them to awaken early.
  5. When they do become active again, they’ll start to fly around looking for an escape route to start a new nest outside. This is when homeowners are most likely to see them inside the house.

Preventing Wasps in the Home

Thankfully, winter paper wasps inside homes are often sluggish and can easily be removed. However, populations are still known to occasionally grow in the winter, in which case you need to call a professional. Wasp stings can cause pain and irritation, so removing wasps from inside the home is of the utmost importance. The best way to avoid dealing with wasps inside your home is to implement preventative measures to keep them outside:

  • Inspect your property to identify and seal any cracks or holes in your home’s building.
  • Pay attention to any openings in porch ceilings and around roof eaves, attic rafters, windows, and door frames.
  • Be vigilant about checking your attic and walls for signs of nests of all pests throughout the year.

Professional Wasp Services

If you notice a wasp inside your home during the colder months, it’s smart to call a professional who can check for signs of nests and populations. At Western Exterminator, we are dedicated to helping our customers stay pest-free during the winter and year-round!

Bed Bug Travel Tips

Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, the last thing you need to worry about is bed bugs. Unfortunately, bed bugs are commonly spread through travel-based circumstances. It’s always important to inspect not only your hotel room, but also your luggage when you return home to avoid an infestation in your home. Even though it’s somewhat of a myth that bed bugs infest every single hotel, it’s still important to stay vigilant. Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to get rid of and can go unnoticed for some time as the infestation becomes worse.

Tips to Avoid Bed Bugs in Hotels

When you check in to your hotel, it’s best to never assume your room is free of bed bugs. There are several helpful bed bug avoidance tips to take into consideration next time you go out of town:

  • Check out your room. When you get into your hotel room, pull back the sheets and inspect the corners of the mattress seams for signs of bugs. If you notice anything, it’s important to inform the staff right away.
  • Don’t unpack right away. Check out other areas in the room, such as the headboard or an accent chair, for bed bugs. Just because they aren’t on the mattress doesn’t mean they’re not elsewhere.
  • Move to a further room. If you have noticed bed bugs in your hotel room, make sure to request a room further than simply the adjacent room or the one directly or below the infected one. Bed bugs can quickly be spread by hitching a ride on housekeeping carts.

Although these prevention tips may seem over-the-top, you’ll surely regret not looking for bed bugs should you come home with them. Hotels take bed bugs very seriously and will of course accommodate your requests for a new room should you find bed bugs.

Checking Your Luggage for Bed Bugs

Traveling requires you to pass through airports, hotel lobbies, hotel rooms, and more with your luggage, meaning you’re coming in contact with a lot of heavily trafficked areas. Just as it’s important to stay vigilant about checking for bed bugs at your hotel, it’s equally if not more essential to inspect your luggage once you return home. Some tips to keep your luggage bed bug-free include:

  1. Consider placing your luggage in a plastic trash bag or other plastic covering while it is sitting in your hotel room.
  2. When you arrive home, inspect your suitcases outdoors before bringing them inside. Once you unpack, use a vacuum to clean out the interior of the bag. Garment steamers also work well to kill and bugs or eggs inside.
  3. Wash all your unpacked clothes, worn or not worn, in a hot water cycle before putting them away in your dresser or closet.

Professional Help for Bed Bug Removal

If you’ve followed all the above prevention tips and still come home with bed bugs after traveling, give the experts at Western Exterminator a call. We can help protect you and your family from worrying about bed bugs biting and infesting your home!

Can You See Bed Bugs with the Naked Eye?

Detecting bed bugs is not an easy task, as they are minuscule in size and can hide in the tiniest cracks. Because they are so small, bed bugs can often be missed until there are signs of an infestation. Their bites are also often confused with those of other pests. Informing yourself on what these little pests look like, and learning about their behaviors, will help you identify any bed bugs you may have in your home. If you know what to look for, yes–you can see bed bugs with the naked eye!

Adult Bed Bugs vs. Baby Bed Bugs

Bed bugs undergo two stages of development once they hatch from their eggs. Baby bed bugs, or nymphs, look different and are much more difficult to spot than their adult counterparts. However, both adult and baby bed bugs share most of the same characteristics:

  • A beak with three segments
  • Four-part antennae
  • Non-flying wings
  • Six legs
  • Cone-like eyes
  • Cause a musty, unique odor
  • Move slower than other insects
  • After eating, their bodies elongate

Adult bed bugs have the following unique characteristics:

  • Range in size from 5–7 mm
  • Red-brown in color after eating, brown in color otherwise

Some of the identifying characteristics of nymphs include:

  • Range in size from 1.5–4.5 mm
  • Typically translucent or white-yellow in color

Bed Bug Behavior and Habits

In addition to their physical attributes, knowing how bed bugs behave is a reliable way to identify them. Some of their distinguishable habits include:

  • They prefer to spend their lives in hiding, which is why they’re so difficult to locate.
  • Bed bugs can travel by hitching rides on clothing, luggage, furniture, and other household items.
  • As their name implies, they are nesting pests that dwell where people or pets sleep, and feed when the subject is at rest. Once they finish feeding, they return to their hiding spot.
  • They tend to live in small populations but may move on in search of other food sources.
  • Bed bugs dislike daylight and thus will typically only feed at night–unless they are starved and a resting host is present.

Debunking Bed Bug Myths

There is a lot of misinformation about bed bugs that adds to them being misidentified so often. It’s important to dispel myths about bed bugs in order to better inform people on what to expect in a bed bug infestation. Contrary to what people may think, some important things to know about bed bugs include:

  • Bed bugs do not fly. They are slow crawling creatures that are not capable of jumping or flying.
  • Bed bugs are not attracted to dirty places. Although a messy space provides more hiding opportunities, bed bugs are drawn to warmth and blood.
  • Bed bugs don’t only live in beds. They can be found in headboards, couches, luggage, and a variety of other household items.
  • People cannot carry bed bugs on their bodies like ticks or lice. Instead, they typically travel via luggage, shoes, backpacks, etc.
  • Most importantly, bed bugs do not carry or spread disease. There have been no studies proving that bed bugs transmit diseases between humans.

Professional Help for Identifying Bed Bugs

Even though bed bugs can indeed be spotted by the naked eye, it isn’t always easy to locate them. If you suspect you have bed bugs, try looking around headboards, in furniture cushions, and along mattresses. If you think you may have a bed bug infestation, Western Exterminator has the experience and resources necessary to locate, identify, and diagnose any bed bug problems you may be experiencing. Call us today to learn how we can protect your home from bed bugs!

How to Reduce the Risk of Scorpion Stings

Scorpions are an unfortunate reality for most Las Vegas homeowners. While the scorpion “bite” is a myth, scorpions stings are very real! Whether scorpions are crawling in your backyard, or across your bedroom wall, you need to know how to reduce the risk of stings! Here are Rentokil’s best tips for reducing stings–both inside and outside of your home.

Basic Tips to Avoid Scorpion Stings

Daily living around scorpions requires a bit of extra thought. Whether you’re folding laundry or climbing into bed after a long day, here’s some advice on avoiding those painful stings:

  • Always keep fingers and toes where you can see them.
    • Seems easy, right? It applies to every situation–reaching into a bag, putting slippers on, checking underneath a bed for a lost sock–they all require a bit of thinking before doing!
  • Shake out clothes and shoes.
    • Every time, and in every situation. By making it a habit, you can keep yourself–and your family!–away from harm.
    • Don’t leave clothes on the floor, either. It’s a perfect hiding spot for scorpions.
  • Look at your sheets and blankets before getting into bed.
    • This is one that makes our skin crawl too, but it’s absolutely necessary. Remember: scorpions want to hide, and they want to be undisturbed. If you jump into bed on top of a hiding scorpion, you will get stung.
  • Never go barefoot outside.
    • This one is easy. Put as much shoe between you and a scorpion as possible!
  • Wear gloves when doing yardwork or putting hands in dark corners.
    • This is a very easy way to prevent being stung.
    • Make sure the gloves are thick enough so the stinger can’t penetrate through the glove itself. There are various companies that make scorpion-proof gloves.

Reduce the Risk of Scorpion Stings Inside Your Home

Scorpions want three things: food, shelter, and water. It’s your job to make sure they can’t get any of that from your home!

  • Stop water leaks in walls, around faucets, and from pipes.
    • Scorpions are small, and if there’s water nearby–they will find it.
  • Block all holes and cracks.
    • This is an easy concept, but it can be difficult to know exactly where the holes are.
    • Commit to regular inspections to look at caulking and entry holes around utility pipes.
  • Seal your foundation.
    • This is a big one. If you have a major scorpion problem, or you want to avoid a major problem, get your foundation sealed by a company that specializes in these services. It can make a big difference!
  • Put away all food when not used, including pet food.
    • No, scorpions don’t typically eat pet food or table scraps. But they do eat some animals that eat food–including mice.
  • Make sure all other pests are controlled, so scorpions don’t have a food source.
    • By controlling mice and insects, you eliminate a potential food source for scorpions, thereby reducing the attraction your home holds for them.
  • Don’t let clutter accumulate.
    • Scorpions want to hide. Don’t let them!
  • No cardboard storage.
    • Don’t store items in loose cardboard boxes that scorpions can rest in.
    • Store any items in clear plastic containers with tight lids. Scorpion-proof peace of mind!
  • Always inspect items before bringing them inside–especially the underneath.
    • Scorpions love undisturbed objects, and they will hitch a ride inside.
    • Arizona bark scorpions actually enjoy being upside down. They can hide under furniture and be carried inside very easily.
  • Optional: use netting around beds.
    • This is up to your discretion. Some people feel safer with netting, and others don’t like it.

Avoid Scorpion Stings Outside of Your Home

  • Get rid of standing water.
    • Clean up any old tires, plant pots, wheelbarrows, and any other objects that could have standing water in them.
  • Remove extra bark, tree limbs, or other yard debris.
    • Some scorpions live under bark in the wild. Don’t fool them into thinking that your yard is a safe place for scorpions!
  • Never leave pet food on the back porch.
    • Again, scorpions won’t eat pet food–but they eat the small mammals that do!
  • Look for potential threats with scorpion “hunts” at night.
    • Scorpions glow under UV light (blacklights).
    • Grab a UV flashlight and shine it around your yard. Hunt those scorpions down, before they find a way into your home!
    • If you see a lot of scorpions one night, it’s time to double down on your efforts to keep them out of your house. Check your foundation, windowsills, and doors for possible entry points.

Professional Help to Get Rid of Scorpions

If you’re finding scorpions in your home on a frequent basis, you need professional help. Fighting scorpions on your own can be overwhelming and exhausting, and there are a lot of elements that go into removing scorpions completely. If you need help with your scorpion problem, give Rentokil a call today!

Don’t Make These Mistakes When Setting a Mousetrap

Mice: the dreaded household pest! Not only do they spread disease and filth, sometimes it can seem like they’re everywhere. If you’ve seen small shavings of wood, shredded insulation or cardboard, or feces, it’s time to take action!

Mouse traps are a timeless and effective way to take care of problems with mice. The classic spring-loaded design used by Victor Mouse Traps has become almost universally pervasive, and has worked for centuries. There are different kinds of mousetraps, including electronic, catch-and-release, and glue traps, and all of them have unique advantages and disadvantages.

We’re focusing on how to set a spring-loaded mousetrap today, and we’d love to help you keep your home mouse-free!

8 Mistakes to Avoid When Setting a Mousetrap

Here are our best tips for catching mice using spring-loaded traps. A lot of these tips also work for electronic or catch-and-release traps as well!

  1. Not using gloves when setting the trap.
    • The easiest mistake to make when setting mousetraps is not wearing gloves.
    • Mice can smell humans, and they will avoid the traps if they smell you!
  2. Not using the right bait.
    • Contrary to popular opinion, some mice like cheese, and some don’t.
    • Use something protein and seed/nut based, like peanut butter or chocolate, to lure in mice.
  3. Using too much bait.
    • Use a small amount of bait that cannot be reached unless mice step on the trap. If they can swipe it without standing on the trap, they will!
  4. Starting with loaded traps.
    • It may seem counterintuitive, but start with unloaded traps (baited but not activated)!
    • Mice are extremely skeptical of new things–especially human things.
    • Set traps out with bait (without loading them) for a couple of nights. It lulls mice into a false sense of security.
  5. Starting with a few traps, and gradually adding more.
    • You will catch more mice on the first night of loaded traps than on any other night. Don’t skimp on the traps!
  6. Not using multiple traps.
    • This follows logically from the above tip, but you should continue to use multiple traps, two or three feet apart.
    • It might not be a pleasant thought, but if you have one mouse, you probably have more! Mice are prolific breeders.
    • By setting multiple traps, you have a better chance at catching as many as possible at once.
  7. Not setting them in the right place.
    • Mice travel along walls, under furniture, and generally any place that offers cover. They’re not typically scurrying across open spaces!
    • Place mouse traps along walls and behind furniture, with the bait placed nearest to the wall.
  8. Not checking traps.
    • Your mouse problem is not going to be gone overnight. It takes diligence to make sure traps are working, set, and not going to waste!
    • Mice can, in some instances, grab bait without setting off the trap. They can also set the trap off without getting caught!
    • If you leave a trap without bait or unloaded, it’s not doing its job.

How to Set a Mousetrap

We know–it’s a lot to take in! We’ll break it down in four easy steps:

  1. Wearing gloves, bait the traps with small amounts of peanut butter.
  2. Set a large number of traps out, with the bait facing the walls, for a couple of days– without setting the spring.
  3. On “the Big Night”, add fresh bait to the traps, and activate the trap spring.
  4. Check your traps!

Professional Mouse Control and Removal

If you’re overwhelmed or squeamish at the thought of doing all of this by yourself, give Rentokil a call. We’ll work with you to determine the best method for controlling the mice in your home, eliminating them and preventing them in the future!

10 Facts You Need to Know About the Bark Scorpion

Las Vegans are no strangers to scorpions, and most of us know about the baddest one of all: the bark scorpion! Also known as the Arizona bark scorpion, this tiny devil packs a punch as the most poisonous scorpion in North America. While bark scorpions live in infamy, there may be a couple of facts you don’t know–facts that could help you identify and even prevent these scorpions from stinging you! Rentokil is always looking for new ways to protect you and your family, so we’ve come up with a list of 10 facts you need to know about the bark scorpion.

Identify and Prevent Bark Scorpions

With effective pest control, proper identification is half the battle! Arm yourself with these facts about Arizona bark scorpions, and learn more about preventing them.

  1. They travel in packs.
    • Most scorpions prefer to be solitary–but not the bark scorpion!
    • While they can be found wandering alone, the real danger is in winter, when they hunker down in packs of twenty or thirty.
    • If you see one bark scorpion, chances are high that more are waiting just around the corner.
  2. Bark scorpions range from 7-8 cm long.
    • The biggest of the species is just barely 3 inches long!
  3. They can climb vertically.
    • It’s true. Unlike most other scorpions, bark scorpions can climb rough vertical surfaces.
  4. Bark scorpions typically hold their tails to the side.
    • The key is typically. Unlike a lot of scorpions that prefer to have their tails over their bodies, bark scorpions will frequently position their tails to one side.
  5. They give live birth.
    • Unlike most arachnids, all scorpions give birth to live babies, called scorplings.
    • Bark scorpions will give birth to 25-35 scorplings at a time, typically in early summer.
  6. They have terrible eyesight.
    • This is why scorpions prefer to walk along walls.
    • It’s also why they sting when startled–they can’t see you coming!
  7. They can live up to 6 years.
  8. They only need a hole the size of a credit card to get in.
    • You heard it! This is why adequate sealing of the space between your foundation and your home is so important.
    • Sealants are available that are made especially to keep scorpions out.
  9. They are nocturnal.
    • If you suspect a scorpion infestation, check out your home and yard at night.
    • Use a blacklight–bark scorpions (like most scorpions) glow in UV light.
  10. They’re drawn to moisture.
    • This last fact is a key component to fighting an infestation, especially in the hot summer months.
    • By cutting down on available or standing water, you can cut down on your chances of a scorpion infestation.

Professional Help for Bark Scorpions

If your yard, home, or business is infested with bark scorpions, you will definitely benefit from professional extermination services. At Rentokil, we handle everything from inspection, exclusion, and treatment–all so we can protect your home and family! Call today to learn more about our bark scorpion treatment options!

6 Ways to Prevent Pantry Pests

Identifying and preventing Indianmeal moths and confused flour beetles in Henderson and Las Vegas NV - Western Exterminator of Las Vegas
Indianmeal moth (top) & confused flour beetle (bottom)

Far too many people have experienced the horror of digging through their pantries only to discover a pantry pest infestation! With the new year upon us, now is the time to inspect your kitchen shelves for signs of pantry pests. These stored product pests infest flour, cake mixes, grains, sugar, and more, and it’s easy for them to do so when you don’t store your dry goods properly. To learn how to prevent pantry pest infestations, keep reading for expert tips from Rentokil!

Pantry Pests 101

Beetles, ants, earwigs, and silverfish are just some of the many pests known as pantry pests. The most common types of pantry pests are the Indian meal moth and the confused flour beetle. These items they will infest include flour, sugar, cake mixes, open cereal boxes, powdered milk, and more! Some of the many insects will look for food sources around which they can build nests and mate. All four stages of development of the insect may be noticed, from their egg to the adult stage.

How to Prevent Pantry Pests

To avoid dealing with the gross sight of pantry pests, it’s important to know how to prevent them from infesting your home in the first place. Six ways you can keep pantry pests out include:

  1. Securely store dry goods. To keep pests out, always store food and baking ingredients in airtight containers.
  2. Properly store seasonal items. Dried foliage, Indian corn, and other seasonal items should be kept in sealed containers while not in use throughout the year.
  3. Place bay leaves in containers. Sticking a bay leaf inside canisters of dry goods like flour, rice, and other grains. May help to repel pests.
  4. Inspect your groceries. At the grocery store and before bringing them indoors, check your purchased goods for any signs of damage or use.
  5. Check the date. Before you use your ingredients from a year or two ago, make sure to check the expiration date and toss any expired items.
  6. Keep a clean kitchen. Always wipe up spills or messes to avoid attracting pests, and clean out your pantry regularly.

Pantry Pest Control & Removal

If you’ve done all you can to prevent pantry pests and still end up with an infestation, it’s important to act fast. Toss any infested items in a secure trash can outdoors, and thoroughly clean out your shelves. If you’re still dealing with pests, it’s recommended to call an expert pantry pest exterminator such as Rentokil Las Vegas.

6 Home Remedies to Get Rid of Mice this Winter

Temperatures inevitably drop during the winter months, causing mice to seek refuge from the cold and cozy up inside your home. Even if you think all the openings to your home are sealed, mice know how to wiggle their way inside, especially when threatened by freezing temperatures. While they may look harmless, mice can cause damage, possibly carry diseases, and even become a fire hazard, which is why it’s imperative to take action immediately.

When Natural Remedies are Useful in Keeping Mice Away

We know how stressful and surprising it is to experience a mouse sighting inside your house. Even more daunting is the thought of getting rid of it! While more serious infestations warrant seeking professional help, there are a number of natural home remedies that can assist in keeping mice out of your home. Home remedies are often favored in pest control because they are non-toxic, effective, and, in many cases, the more humane option. Keep reading to learn about the six natural ways to get rid of mice this winter!

Top 6 Ways to Rid of Mice Naturally

The following list describes six popular methods of using things lying around your home to prevent mice infestations during the winter.

  1. Peppermint Oil: Mice are known to not be big fans of peppermint. Apply peppermint oil drops to cotton balls and place them in entryways, kitchen cabinets, and any other suspected entry points. You can even try planting mint along the exterior of your home.
  2. Apple Cider Vinegar & Water: Spray this mixture around the perimeter of your house as well as in any access points inside. Make sure to re-apply the solution once a month.
  3. Fabric Softener Sheets: Mice can’t stand the smell of fabric softener. Stuffing these sheets in suspected entry points will not only keep mice at bay, but keep your home smelling fresh and clean!
  4. Steel Wool: This is a great option that has proven to be effective in keeping mice away, because they are unable to chew through the the tough material. Simply stick steel wool in any crevices or holes in your home, using a bit of silicone to keep it in place.
  5. Used Kitty Litter: It is well-known that cats are natural predators of mice, and any mouse will scamper away when they suspect a cat lives in the home. Place tubs of used kitty litter near suspected access points in your home.
  6. Instant Mashed Potatoes: This is a frugal option of getting rid of the mice in your home. Sprinkled instant potatoes will likely be ingested by the mice, who will not be able to tolerate or survive the expanding flakes in their stomach.

Naturally Preventing Mice During the Winter

Along with the methods listed above, there are several easy steps every homeowner can take to keep on top of controlling mice infestation in their home.

  • Regularly inspect your home to look for signs of mice.
  • Scope out any possible entry points and seal or close them off.
  • Always keep food sealed and securely stored; never leave it out.
  • Keep inside and outside areas tidy and free of exposed garbage.
  • Make sure any foliage or tree branches are at least three feet away from the foundation of your home.
  • During the colder months, keep birdseed to a minimum.

As always, make sure to call a professional if these natural home remedies do not work or if you need assistance. At Rentokil, we are dedicated to helping our customers stay pest-free during the winter and year-round!