There’s an abundance of bad advice on the internet, and mouse control methods are no exception to this unfortunate reality. From old wives’ tales to DIY “hacks,” misinformation can lead to bigger infestations, create health hazards, and cause property damage. Let’s set the record straight on a few common mouse control myths our team at Brown Pest Control hears all too often.
Myth #1 – Mice love cheese.
We can chalk this one up to cartoons, and many people think of cheese as the ultimate mouse bait. In reality, mice prefer high-carb foods like peanut butter, grains, and seeds. Using cheese may not attract them to your trap, and it can also lead to other problems like unpleasant odors and mold growth if you forget about a cheese-baited trap for an extended period.
Myth #2 – Seeing one mouse is no big deal.
Where there’s one mouse, more are often nearby. Mice are social creatures and reproduce astonishingly quickly – a single female can have up to 10 litters in a year. Waiting to take action gives them time to find nice, hidden places to nest, settle in, and multiply.
Myth #3 – Cats will take care of the problem.
Some cats are natural hunters, but many have no interest in chasing mice. Beyond the variability in cat temperament, a cat who catches a few mice won’t stop an entire colony from nesting in the walls, attic, or other hard-to-reach places. Relying on your pet for mouse control simply isn’t enough.
Myth #4 – A store-bought trap is all the mouse control you need.
Traps can help catch a few mice, but they’re not going to address the core problem of how the mice are getting inside in the first place. If you don’t seal entry points and identify nesting areas, which professional mouse control services will do, the mice will keep coming back.
Don’t fall for these myths – if you think you have a mouse problem, contact a professional right away for effective mouse control treatments.
