Discovering mice in your garden shed can be frustrating. These unwelcome guests can cause damage and create a mess. At Allen Portable Buildings, Inc., the leading provider of portable buildings in Arkansas, we understand the importance of keeping your garden shed free from pests.
This guide will explain how to keep mice out of a garden shed.
Seal Your Shed To Keep Mice Out
The first step in mouse-proofing your garden shed is ensuring it’s properly sealed. Mice can squeeze through surprisingly small openings, so it’s crucial to:
- Inspect your shed for cracks, holes, or gaps in the walls, flooring, or around doors and windows.
- Use steel wool, caulk, or metal sheeting to seal these openings.
- Confirm that the door seals tightly, and consider installing a sweep to block the gap beneath it.
Remove Any Potential Nesting Sources
Part of learning how to keep mice out of garden sheds is knowing that mice are attracted to cluttered and undisturbed areas where they can nest. To make your shed less inviting:
- Clear out any unnecessary items and organize what remains to reduce hiding spots.
- Store materials off the ground and away from the walls.
- Regularly clean and declutter your shed to discourage mice from settling in.
Get Rid of Food and Water Sources
Eliminating food and water sources is crucial for deterring mice. Store seeds, pet food, and other edible items in metal or thick plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. Additionally, address any leaks to ensure there’s no standing water inside or near your shed. Keeping the area surrounding your shed clear of debris and vegetation that could serve as hiding spots for mice also plays a significant role in keeping them at bay.
Set Up a Few Mouse Traps
Trapping is an effective way to control mice populations. When setting traps:
- Choose a variety of trap types to increase your chances of catching mice.
- Place traps along walls, near entry points, and in areas where you’ve noticed activity.
- Check and reset the traps regularly.
Bring in Some Predators
Natural predators can play a significant role in controlling mice populations. One effective strategy is to encourage owls and hawks to frequent the area by installing nesting boxes. Allowing a cat to patrol the area around your shed can also deter mice. However, it’s important to remember that these methods should complement, not replace, other control measures.
Keep Your Garden Clean
A tidy garden is less attractive to mice. To keep your garden clean, regularly remove weeds, debris, and excess vegetation. Keep compost bins sealed and away from your shed, and outfit your trash cans with tight-fitting lids.
Contact the Shed Experts
Keeping mice out of your garden shed requires a combination of sealing entry points, removing attractants, and employing control measures. At Allen Portable Buildings, Inc., we’re committed to helping you enjoy the full benefits of a small garden shed.
For more information on how to keep mice out of garden sheds, call (866) 471-1805.