Mice infestations do not discriminate between big cities or rural areas. Adult mice can invade your home through cracks and holes as tiny as a dime.
If you have tiny gaps in your foundation or a crack in your wall, you'll definitely be sharing your meals with some mice. And an invasion of these stubborn little critters is not without risks.
Mice are associated with serious structural damage. Thanks to their notorious behavior of constantly gnawing on electrical wiring, they are said to be responsible for up to 25% of the undetermined house fires!
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rodents are carriers of at least 35 diseases and have been associated with the spread of serious diseases like hantavirus and salmonella.
But just because you already have an active mice infestation doesn't mean you're now subjected to suffering forever! There are tons of genius hacks that you can apply to keep rats away from your home-like using a copper mesh.
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Inspecting For Possible Mice Entry Points
- Holes in walls and foundation- Thoroughly inspect the perimeter of your home, paying keen attention to spot any holes or cracks in the foundation or walls. If you spot any holes, even as small as a quarter-inch, mice can squeeze through it, and you'll therefore need to proof it.
- Holes in Pipes- holes in pipes are another convenient mice entry point. Inspect all places in your home where exterior pipes enter walls, and if there are any gaps, then you'll need to seal them—generally, the best way to seal such small gaps is by caulking. Although waterproof, note that caulk wears off with time, and you'll need to reseal. Suppose you don't have caulk? No worries because the copper mesh will also provide you with similar results.
- Openings around window seals and doors- mice can sneak into your home through open doors and windows. You are advised to install screens for doors and windows to keep mice away. Note that the weather stripping on your doors and windows is subject to wearing off with time, leaving small gaps that mice can squeeze through. Be sure to replace such flaws fast.
A Step By Step Guide On How To Use Copper Mesh For Mice
- Identify the area that needs proofing and unrolls an adequate amount of copper mesh depending on the size of crack/crevices that need proofing. Easily cut the required amount using a pair of scissors.
- Scrumple the mesh and stuff it into the cracks that mice might be coming through. You can use an object like a stick to work the copper mesh into the tight gaps if need be.
- The best way to secure the copper mesh is by encasing it with expanding foam. Ensure to put the copper mesh in the gap first before the expanding foam. If the mice try to chew their way into your house through the foam, they will ingest pieces of the copper mesh, and it will slowly kill them.