How to Get Rid of Mice in Your Backyard and Garden
It is easier to spot damages caused by a mouse inside your home than outside. When mice invade a garden and backyard, most people do not even notice it until after the damage is done. Whether you enjoy spending time in your backyard with family or friends or whether you have green fingers and love seeing your garden flourish, the sight of a mouse in the yard and garden is always an unpleasant one. Getting rid of mice is not always an easy task as you might be dealing with an infestation as the conditions of your yard and garden might be too welcoming for these little pests. Therefore, it is essential to understand what attracted them in the first place, where they might be hiding, what you can do to get rid of them and prevent them from coming back. Read on if you want to find out how to get rid of your pest problem once and for all!
How to Identify a Mouse?
A mouse is a small rodent that has large ears and little black eyes. They are mostly gray or light brown, weigh about ½ of an ounce and can be up to five to seven inches long, with a long tail. These rodents have a musky odor and are mostly active at night.
What Damages Does a Mouse Cause?
Mice will sometimes dig tunnels in your backyard and chew on your vegetable crop. They will eat vegetables and fruits partially and even eat your newly sown seeds. A mouse feeding off your crop can cause the food to be contaminated. Mice also love to gnaw on wood and wires, so if you have a wooden shed or some exposed wires, then you will probably come across teeth marks in these areas.
What Are the Signs of a Mouse in the Backyard and Garden?
The most obvious sign that you have a mouse problem is when you spot one of these rodents. They usually come out during the night or early morning, so if you happen to see one in the day, it can be a good sign that you are dealing with an infestation. You may come across a mouse nest which they usually make under debris, rubbish, timber, inside drain pipes and around sheds or greenhouses. Unfortunately, the only other way you will know that you are dealing with an unwanted mousy guest is after the damage is done. This will include uneven surfaces on the lawn caused by the shallow tunnels that they love to dig, seeds and crops eaten, gnaw marks on fences, and shed doors or pipes.
How to Get Rid of Mice?
The option of using poison or traps that can hurt the animal is not always the best and are cruel. Besides, you may be breaking regulations in your area if you injure or kill other protected animals that will also be exposed to these methods. Children and pets could also be at risk if you use these solutions, so think twice before using them. However, there are some mouse traps and DIY traps that can humanely capture the rodent and you can set them up around your yard, near the path of the mouse. These traps inquire some mouse bait like bits of bacon, chocolate, peanut butter or crackers, and of course lots of patience from your side. Another way to keep them away is by using natural store-bought repellents. If you have a garden, you can plant basil, sage, rosemary, and lavender that will act as a natural repellent as well. You can also fill plastic bottles caps with ammonia and place them around the garden, the urine like smell will scare mice off thinking there is a possible predator in the yard. Some hardware stores can also provide you with a device that emits a beeping sound which is unpleasant to mice, yet not a hazard to dogs and cats. These devices can cost around $30, depending on the brand.
How to Prevent Mice from Inhabiting Your Yard?
Even if you get to trap the mouse, the best way to get rid of the problem is to prevent it from happening again. If you have a fence or a wall, seal up the holes where they enter with steel wool. Try keeping your yard trimmed and clean from debris and wood piles laying around. Keep the compost, and garbage bins closed and do not keep pet food and water exposed for an extended period. Instead of scattering bird feed on the ground, use a bird table or feeder basket. 
If everything fails, and it seems like you have a mice infestation that is too big to handle yourself, you can contact your local rodent control service. Professionals will be able to trap the mice humanely and eliminate the conditions that attract the mice. They can also provide you with professional advice on how to avoid the problem in the future once they have inspected your property. Keep in mind that mice might move to your home if your solutions are chasing them out of your yard, so make sure tiny entrances to your home are sealed correctly. With that being said, mice are good climbers and can climb up the downspout to access an opening on the roof, so make sure your roof is repaired on time. Some mice prevention techniques in your home can also be a good idea during this time, as one can never be too cautious. This post is brought to you by the team at Harper Special Services, emergency restoration service in Savannah, GA.