The best way to prevent an infestation of mice in Northern Virginia is to keep them from getting into your home in the first place. Usually, if one mouse gets in, there will be more. Your best approach is to be proactive in terms of keeping rodents out. Remember, keeping mice away also keeps snakes away. That is a great motivator to do whatever you can to keep mice off of your property. This will involve strategies in your yard and your home as well as methods of exclusion. While some of the options are very logical and almost obvious, others require the help of professionals.
Preventing mice in the yard
Your yard is the gateway for mice to enter your home. Keeping your yard trimmed is your first line of defense. Grass should be short and any trimmings or leaves should be raked and removed. Bushes and shrubbery near the home should be trimmed so they are not touching your home. Do not allow them to be used as bridges for entry into your home. Overgrown lawns are very inviting to mice because they provide cover. Remove that option from your property so the mice will not look at it as shelter. You also want to make sure any fruits or vegetables you grow are not left on the ground if they fall off of trees or bushes. Otherwise, you are just inviting mice to enjoy a buffet. Any food source should be eliminated, this includes pet food that you may keep outside or even bird feeders. Make sure your trash cans are not easily accessible. Keep tight-fitting lids on them and make sure they are placed away from the house. Anything that would draw them close to your house should be eliminated.
