Garage door installation is one of the most important factors when it comes to keeping mice out of your garage. Without good overhead doors, the mice will just prance right in! If you’re looking for good overhead door installation in Littleton, we can help you out.
Even with the most amazing overhead doors, mice can still be a problem for many. It’s much easier to prevent the problem than to treat it. That’s why today we’re going to go over three things: how to know you have an infestation, how to treat it, and how to prevent it altogether.
And remember, just do a quick search for "garage door installers near me" if you want us to come and assess your door!
Signs you have a mouse infestation
Some signs of mouse infestations include a musky odor, pets pawing or scratching in your garage, and finding a nest that’s made out of cloth, fiber, or shredded paper. Lastly, spotting a mouse is a surefire way to know you have a problem.
But the next step is to differentiate whether you have a mouse problem or a rat problem. Knowing which kind of infestation you have will let you properly handle the situation. Five signs will help you figure this out:
- Noise
- Gnawing and chewing
- Tracks
- Rub marks
- Droppings
Usually, the smaller the signs are, the more likely it is that you have mice. Mice don’t always leave prominent footprints unless there’s a lot of dust in your garage.
The main difference is the kind of noise you hear. Mice squeak pretty constantly when they’re in the nest. On the other hand, rats fight, scratch, and gnaw.
How to get rid of mice
Female mice can give birth to up to 60 babies each year. This means that your unwelcome guests will only become more populated. If the living conditions are good and the family is big, there’s a good chance that the mice might leave your garage and get into your home instead.
Bait stations
If there are already mice living in your garage, the best way to get rid of them is by setting up bait stations. You need to be strategic and place them where mice will be.
First, you need to learn how mice behave. They don't look for new sources of food unless they have to. They can't see very well so they stay near walls, beams, pipes, and corners.
A good rule of thumb is to try to put your bait stations where there are mice droppings.
Things that attract mice
If you’re storing materials that mice could use to build nests, or any human or animal food, consider using a container that has a tight-fitting lid.
If there’s a car sitting in the garage that doesn’t get much use, rev the engine every once in a while. Check in the glove compartment, trunk, and under the hood for any nests or wire damage.
Here are some items that might be in your garage that can potentially attract mice:
- Piles of things
- Sacks of animal food (birds, dogs, etc)
- A messy car
- Vehicles that aren’t used often
- Garbage that isn’t covered
- Mulch
- Straw bales
- Burlap
- Outdoor furniture cushions
- Rags and towels
How to keep mice out
Mice are highly impressive. They’re able to swim, run, and climb, squeeze through tiny openings, and jump up and down. They can also chew through pretty much anything.
1. Create an environment they don’t like
Mice love garages because they’re warm, cozy, and have lots of places to hide. But if you make the environment more hostile to mice, they won’t want to be in your garage. There are products you can buy that only mice can smell. These products will keep them away. Follow instructions carefully.
You can also DIY with essential oils. Just be sure to get the whole perimeter, both on the inside and outside of your garage. Apply again if you get heavy rains to keep the smell strong.
2. Seal gaps
Plug, patch, or repair and crevices, cracks, or holes that you find. Be careful with what material you choose to use, though. Mice are famous for chewing and shredding things to use in their nests. This means that rubber and thin screening won’t work.
Better options include steel wool, hardware cloth, sheet metal, concrete, caulk, and expanding foam.
3. Get to their level
Turn the lights off in your garage and get down on the ground. See if there’s any light coming through crevices, cracks, holes, or doors. Look at the walls and around the doors, windows, and piping. Be sure that your garage door has a tight seal when it shuts.
Our garage door service pros' closing thoughts
With good overhead doors and a thorough plan, you can effectively keep mice out of your garage. Remember, you want to:
- Create an environment they don’t like.
- Seal gaps.
- Get to their level.
If mice are getting in through your garage door, it’s probably time for a new garage door installation. Luckily, we know the right people for the job.
Our team has been serving the Littleton area for years. We know the ins and outs of both garage doors and our wonderful community.
If you're looking for a friendly company that gets it right every time, give us a call. We'd love nothing more than to help you prevent or treat a mouse infestation by installing a great garage door.