How to Get Rid of Mice in a Crawl Space
Do you hear something scampering around your home at night or in your walls? Notice wires being gnawed around the exterior of the house, or gnaw marks on cardboard? If so, you might have mice, and they might be living in your crawl space! Learn how to identify signs you have mice and how to get rid of them in your crawl space once and for good. (Hint: Alabama Foundation Repairs is here to help!)
Why Do You Have Mice?
Mice want to stay warm–just like you! They also want easy access to food and water, and shelter from predators and the elements. Your home and crawl space offer all of the above. If not properly maintained and sealed, a crawl space can attract all sorts of pests and rodents, including termites and cockroaches. Mice can get in even when there are no gaping holes.
“Mice can squeeze through a hole the size of a pencil eraser, while rats can fit through a hole the size of a quarter,” notes Angie’s List. Mice will find cracks and crevices in your home’s foundation and crawl space. They can even squeeze between siding and concrete blocks.
How to Spot a Mouse Problem
Not sure whether you have mice under your house? If possible, look in or go into your crawl space with a flashlight. Keep an eye out for:
- Mouse droppings
- Piles of shredded paper or insulation – this is a mouse nest!
- Chewed wire or disturbed insulation
- Bite marks on ducts, wiring, or insulation
If you notice any of these signs, don’t write them off. Mice multiply quickly. A family of six mice can multiply to 60 within three months, averaging six to eight babies per litter.
Plus, a mouse infestation can be dangerous. “In some cases,” adds Angie’s List. “Rodents have started house fires from chewing through electrical wires.”
Even though crawl spaces can be uncomfortable to access, play it safe and check things out. We’re happy to take a look for you, too. Don’t hesitate to call Alabama Foundation Repairs if you suspect you have a mouse problem under your home.
How to Get Rid of Mice in Crawl Space
How can you keep mice out of your crawl space and your home? All it takes is a few simple steps. Seal holes. Remove moisture. Eliminate food sources. Repeat. Getting rid of mice in your crawl space can be simple!
- Find and seal up any holes in your crawl space. Walk around the exterior of your home and look for potential entry points. Inspect the area around pipes, vents, loose siding, and even gaps in roof eaves. Seal these areas with wire mesh, caulk, or mortar (depending on the surface). You’ll help keep mice at bay and may improve the energy efficiency of your home while you’re at it!
- Identify and remove moisture sources. Any moisture in your crawl space can attract mice and other rodents, especially in winter. Do you have pipes leaking water into your crawl space or moisture seeping through the walls of the foundation? Mice need water, too. Fixing leaks and drainage issues will make your property much less desirable to pests like mice. Crawl space encapsulation is the best route for taking care of both steps one and two. It’s the preferred method for how to seal a home’s foundation from mice.
- Get rid of potential food sources. The crawl space might seem like a no-brainer storage area, but it’s not. Avoid storing anything in your crawl space–carpet scraps, Christmas decorations, moving boxes, and even lawn equipment. Just don’t do it! Mice can use almost any material to make nests. Plus, if you’re dealing with a moisture problem, mold can grow on whatever you put down there.
Who to Call for Help
You’ll probably need help if you want to get rid of mice in your crawl space. At Alabama Foundations, we offer free on-site consultations so that we can identify the source of the issue and offer you a solution as quickly as possible. Call Alabama Foundations at 800-443-6172 today. We serve almost every city north of Montgomery!
