Spotting a mouse inside your home can be a jarring experience, one that often comes with not unreasonable fears and more than a little anxiety. And where there is one mouse, there may well be others, which means you might have a serious infestation on your hands. For this reason, you should contact a pest control professional as soon as possible; in the meantime, take these three steps to minimize the risk of further unwanted rodent guests.

What to Do If You See a Mouse in Your Home

1. Cut Off Access to Food

In most cases, mice enter homes in search of food. Their sharp teeth and surprisingly strong paws can easily tear apart packaging and get into the food products stored in your kitchen. Cut off their access by storing all dry goods in airtight containers, ideally made of glass or strong plastic. 

Also, be mindful of crumbs on your kitchen counters and floors, and keep these spaces clean and wiped down. Rodents are known to rifle through trash as well, searching for food, so keep your trash in cans with sealable lids.

2. Declutter

To protect themselves and guarantee they can move around undetected, rodents will naturally look for places to hide inside your home. They tend to be drawn to cluttered areas, as there are multiple opportunities for concealment. Limit these opportunities as much as you can by clearing out any overly cluttered spots in your home, especially those in darker areas like closets, attics, and basements.

3. Seal Openings

A mouse can fit through an opening as small as a quarter of an inch, which is about the width of a pen. Prevent further rodent problems by performing a careful inspection of your flooring and walls, particularly areas around doors, windows, and baseboards. If you see any gaps, fill them in with caulk, weatherstripping, or spray foam insulation.

If you have a mouse problem in your home, Taylor's Weed & Pest Control can provide the solution. With more than four decades of combined experience, they offer pest and weed control services to the Hobbs, NM, area. Whether you're dealing with rodents, insects, or wildlife, they are here to help. Call (575) 492-9247 to request a quote or visit them online to explore their services.