Kaufman’s Home Maintenance, LLC

Mouse traps only solve the mouse problem, not the hole problem

It’s spring, and around the Pacific northwest that means mouse season. Small house mice arrived in America with the first settlers from Europe. Although it took decades for them to reach Oregon, they are here and aren’t likely to clear out anytime soon.

According to the American Humane Society, these so-called house mice prefer to live indoors, where it’s warm, in our homes, garages and offices. Not only do mice nibble at the food stored in our pantries, but they can carry disease. It’s best to keep them outdoors.

Detecting house mice

You’ll likely know that you have house mice by the signs they leave, rather than from seeing them scurry around. Most mice are nocturnal and tend to avoid humans. However, mouse droppings and nibble marks on your pantry goods are sure signs that mice are inhabiting your home’s nooks and crannies.

Making your home mouse-proof with Kaufman’s Home Maintenance

Mouse traps, even humane traps, only go so far in solving a mouse problem. Even a tiny hole in your foundation, in your eaves or along your drain pipe can be a welcome entrance to your home for mice.  Spring is an ideal time to make sure that your home is sealed tight against unwelcome visitors like mice. Just a few of the things you’ll want to do include inspecting your foundation for holes and cracks. If you find any, you’ll want to seal them with quick-drying concrete or mortar. In addition, spring is the right season to clean out your gutters and check your eaves and drainage system for holes.

If you need help securing your home from mice, Kaufman’s Home Maintenance can help. Kaufman’s delivers a wide range of handyman services in addition to scheduled home maintenance programs. Our subscription service plans are tailored to each homeowner’s individual needs. Services can include regular household maintenance chores like cleaning gutters, making sure their furnace ducts are clean, washing windows, inspecting drain pipes, changing furnace filters, cleaning their dryer ducts, painting window trim or whole rooms…and making sure that your home is secure from mice. Call 503-798-4357 or visit KaufmanHelp.com to schedule an appointment.