As soon as dusk falls, the patter starts over the ceiling. There are mice in the house. And it's not just the patter that betrays their presence. Small black droppings also show that there are mice in your house. Especially in winter they come in looking for warmth and nutrition. Should we let them go or keep them out of our house? And how can we combat the mouse without using pest control mice?

When we talk about The Mouse, we mean the house mouse. There are several small rodents that actually fall into the mouse family, but which we rarely refer to. That is why in our understanding The Mouse is the small grayish animal with a long tail. The house mouse is everywhere where people are and has spread all over the world. The house mouse is at least as numerous as humans, has a fantastic adaptability and can live almost anywhere.

Mice harmful?
Mice are the carriers of parasites and can therefore be harmful. They also transmit viruses, which in most cases are harmless to humans. Salmonella is a virus that they can carry and which people can take over. All in all, it is not hygienic to have mice in the house. Their stool alone can become very dirty. The droppings look like little black balls and their urine can give off a bad smell. Especially the urine of the males, which demarcates their territory, can smell very bad. If you come into contact with mice or their faeces, always wash your hands immediately. A mouse can quickly make food unfit for consumption. Mice are rodents and can gnaw and damage cords and other things. This is especially not desirable for electricity.

How can I prevent mice?
Are you looking for how to get rid of mice? Here, we have some solutions:

• Seal cracks and crevices in the house. A mouse can already pass through an opening of half a centimeter, so it is quite a job to check for small openings and to close them. Cracks under doors are also an entrance for mice. So doors to the outside must close properly. Door brushes at the bottom of a door are very suitable for this. For ventilation holes, place fine mesh and close larger holes with aluminum foil. The more difficult the access road to your house, the less likely you will suffer from a mouse infestation.

• Always cover food scraps around the house. So not only in the kitchen, but also in the basement, for example. Food in plastic bags is not protected against the teeth of the mouse. Therefore, store food, for example, in buses or hard plastic containers.

• Places where a lot of stuff is stored are an ideal hiding place for mice nests. Keep your house tidy and make sure there are as few hiding places as possible. Especially in attics and cellars.

• Above all, make sure your house is clean. Vacuum regularly so that no food crumbs are left on the floor and also keep it clean under stoves and cabinets.

• Scents can discourage mice from settling in your home. This way you can sprinkle mint oil in strategic places and get the smell or presence of cats or guinea pigs into the house.