How To Get Rid Of Mice In the Attic Under Insulation

Your attics are one of the least visited rooms in your home; often used as storage spaces for extra furniture, seasonal clothing, old pictures, and Halloween decorations. While dusty and disused, they hold countless precious memories and supplies for celebration that no one wants damaged. However,  pesky mice and annoying rats are mortal enemies of clothing and wood and can destroy these items. From identifying mouse infestations to removing them to preventing future incidences, here is all you need to know about how to remove mice from under your attic insulation.

Identifying Your Rat Problem To Safeguard Your Insulated Attic

Most houses are underinsulated, meaning mice can easily gnaw their way into your attic. The first thing we need to do is to keep an eye out for things that might indicate when you have an unwanted guest in your attic. Also, don’t be alarmed, but…did you know a female mouse reproduces about 5-10 times a year, and each litter can contain 5-14 pups.

• Listen for scratches and scampers

While usually very quiet, during the nighttime when these creatures are more active and there’s less noise to drown them out, you can sometimes hear their scratchy movements overhead if you have mice in your attic insulation.

• Take a closer look at your attic

If you suspect you do have a mouse lurking about in your attic, here are some things you should look out for when you go up there:

• Urine stains and mouse droppings—look for black pellets the size of rice grains.
• Mouse hallways—one to two inches deep in  your insulation’s surface
• Mouse burrows—1-inch holes going down into your insulation
• Damaged property–Gnawed wooden chairs and chewed wiring

• Where did they come from?

The next step is to identify all the possible entry points. Mice have razor-sharp teeth and can cut through pretty much everything except glass and metal. If there are holes in your attic—even less than an inch wide–they’ll gnaw persistently until they can crawl in.

Small gaps around pipes, openings near loosely fitted doors, and damaged air ducts are some of the ways that they could’ve snuck into your attic.

Up Next: Getting Rid Of Mice Under Your Attic Insulation

Once you’ve determined that you have a mouse problem, phase two consists of removing the vermin from your property. Remember, mice aren’t cute and mischievous like Jerry Mouse;  most types of rodents can cause diseases, property damage, and mental stress.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you should go about reclaiming your attic.

• Removing insulation

Insulation provides mice with a warm, cozy, and quiet place to raise their young, so often they will burrow into your insulation and destroy it. The first thing any smart pest control agency will do is to remove all the insulation to find their nests, travel routes, and hidden entry points that you might have missed.

• Trapping and exterminating

Once you have this done, it’s time to catch the critters. Laying down traps and using chemical treatments are effective ways to catch and exterminate mice.

• Sanitization and disinfection

Next comes disinfection. Like other animals, mice mark their territory with their feces and urine, and no amount of sealing cracks and closing gaps will keep them away as they will just gnaw their way right back.

Another important reason for disinfecting your attic is that breathing in their waste is toxic and can lead to respiratory issues. After getting rid of the mice, make sure you have the space thoroughly disinfected to safeguard your health. 

• Sealing all entry points

Now that all the hidden cracks and gaps are located, it is crucial to seal them thoroughly. Use materials like caulk and wool scouring pads for the smaller openings and concrete mortar and sheet metal for the larger openings.

• Reinsulate your attic

Finally, add a new layer of insulation. This isn’t just necessary because the previous insulation was destroyed, but even if it’s in fairly good condition, it can still carry mouse scents and waste. Having your attic reinsulated is a smart way to ensure you don’t have to worry about a recurrence shortly.

Keeping Mice Away For Good – Keeping Your Insulation Protected:

Now that we’ve gotten rid of your immediate problem, you might be wondering what you can do to prevent it from happening again. We’re glad you asked! Here are a few ways you can ensure you don’t have any rats living rent-free in your attic:

• Strategic landscaping

Something to consider is to trim low-hanging branches and tall shrubbery that gives mice a way to climb into your house, as these tiny acrobats can easily walk on thin wires and delicate limbs.

• Mouse-proof your food supply

No one wants mice snacking on their food, but keeping them in air-tight containers is another smart way not to attract mice. Store dried foods like grains and meat in metal and glass containers instead of plastic.

• Set traps

Simple yet effective. Setting regular snap traps will ensure that even if a mouse manages to creep into your attic again, it will get caught and can be removed easily.

And that’s how you keep these rats outside of your house and attic…for good.

Conclusion

In conclusion, mice are annoying and sneaky pests that often carry diseases and cause infrastructural damage to your property. By identifying their presence and taking necessary steps like removing insulation and disinfecting your attic, you can get rid of them. Just don’t forget to follow our tips to keep them away permanently.

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