Mice are small, agile creatures that can fit into tiny spaces. They often enter homes through cracks and crevices around windows and doors, and once they’re in, they can be tough to get rid of.
Mice can also cause a lot of damage, not just by chewing on wires and furniture but also by spreading disease.
How to Protect Furniture in Storage from Mice
Protecting furniture from mice damage is a simple process that can be done with a few simple steps.
First, identify the areas of your home where mice are most likely to enter. These areas could include gaps around windows and doors and cracks in the walls or floors.
Once you have identified these areas, you can take steps to seal them off and prevent the mice from entering your home in the first place.
You can also use traps or deterrents to keep the mice away from your furniture.
If you already have mice damage, you can use various methods to repair it, including replacing damaged pieces of furniture, using wood glue to fix cracks and holes, and using bait stations to catch the mice.
Seal any cracks or holes in the storage unit with steel wool or caulking
If you’re using a storage unit to store your belongings, it’s crucial to ensure it’s sealed off from mice and other pests. You can do it in a few ways.
The easiest way is to use steel wool or caulking around any cracks or holes in the storage unit. Make sure the steel wool is tightly packed into any openings and that there are no gaps bigger than a quarter inch.
If you have a metal door on your storage unit, make sure it’s also tightly sealed. You can also use traps or poison to get rid of any mice living there.
Store furniture in sealed plastic totes or boxes
When furniture is not in use, it should be stored in a sealed container to protect it from dust, dirt, and pests.
Mice can easily chew through cardboard and fabric, so furniture should be stored in plastic totes or boxes.
If possible, the furniture should be wrapped in plastic before being stored. It will keep the mice from being able to get inside and chew on the furniture.
Also, it will help to keep it clean and free from pests.
If you have a lot of furniture to store, investing in some large plastic totes or boxes from a storage unit company might be helpful.
Place traps around the storage unit to catch any mice that may be present
It would be best if you placed traps around the unit’s perimeter. It will help catch any mice that may be present and discourage them from entering in the first place.
There are a variety of traps available, and the type you choose will depend on the specific situation.
- Snap trap. It consists of a small platform with a spring-loaded bar that snaps shut when the mouse steps on it. This type of trap is effective but can be dangerous if not handled properly.
- Glue trap. It uses a sticky adhesive to immobilize the mouse. A glue trap can be placed along the edge of furniture to prevent the mouse from getting too close. Glue traps are non-toxic and safe for use around pets and children, but they can be difficult to dispose of once a mouse is caught.
- Live trap. This type of trap catches the mouse alive so it can be released outdoors away from home.
Whatever trap you choose, it is important to check your traps regularly and dispose of any mice caught. If you have a lot of mice in your home, you may consider hiring a professional pest control company.
Use repellents to keep mice away from furniture
After feeling safe from rat attacks, the next step is to keep mice away from your furniture. That, you can use a repellent.
A repellent is a substance applied to an object to keep animals away from it. Repellents can be bought at most stores, and many different types can be used for furniture.
Many different types of repellents are available, including peppermint oil, essential oils, or castor oil.
It’s important to read the label carefully to make sure the repellent is safe for use on furniture.
1. Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil has a strong smell that mice do not like. You can put peppermint oil in a spray bottle and spray it around the outside of your home, or you can put it in a bowl and place it in the areas where you think mice might be getting into your house.
Peppermint oil will also protect your furniture from being damaged by mice. If you have any furniture that you want to protect, you can add peppermint oil to the wood polish or furniture cleaner that you are using.
2. Essential oils
There are several reasons why essential oils work well as mouse repellents. First, the strong smell is unpleasant to mice and deters them from coming near.
Second, the essential oils kill any bacteria or fungus on the surface, potentially harming the mice.
Here are three ways you can use essential oils to keep mice away:
- Put a few drops of oil on a cotton ball and place it in the areas where you see mice or evidence of mice, such as droppings or nests.
- Add a few drops of oil to your mop water and mop your floors.
- Spray diluted oil around outside of the home, near the foundation and any other areas where you have seen mice or evidence of them.
3. Castor oils
Castor oil is a vegetable oil that is derived from the castor bean. Castor oil is non-toxic and does not harm the environment.
It is easy to use; simply apply it to areas where you want to protect against mice, such as door thresholds, buildings’ bases, or in garages and sheds.
Castor oil also repels other pests such as rats and cockroaches.
No matter what type of repellent you choose, keeping it out of reach of children and pets is important.
Conclusion
Mice can cause a lot of damage to furniture, especially if they are left to their own devices for a long period of time.
If you have furniture in storage susceptible to mouse damage, it’s essential to take steps to protect it from these little pests.
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