How do I keep out the mice?

Q – I read in a lot of places how to remove mice from my basement and crawlspace, but never do I read how to keep them out in the first place.

Do you have an ideas on this?

Charlotte in Templeton

A – Thanks for that question. We don't talk enough about how to keep the mice out to begin with.

Here are a few tips:

• First of all you want to seal the entire perimeter of your home. This includes places like around crawlspace vents and between/behind your gutter and your attic. Use a thick metal and not just some chicken wirey junk. Mice can get through tiny openings and chew thru flimsy metals.
• Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair any screens that have holes in them.
• Seal cracks and holes in your foundation or crawlspace including around plumbing and electrical openings and around vents. Use steel wool or caulk or a combination of the two.
• Keep your attic and basement/crawlspace ventilated and dry. And sealed.
• Repair or have repaired any cracks in any blocks or concrete or bricks on or around your house.
• Trim back your shrubbery from your house and move that stack of firewood at least 25 feet away from your house.

Cool, dry, and clean is no way for a mouse to go thru life. Keeping your house, your basement and your crawlspace like that will help to keep the mice away.

Oh, and get a cat.