As a Vaughan homeowner, you probably spend time with family and friends during warmer weather and enjoy using your barbeque as a part of those gatherings. However, when cooler weather arrives and the animals that share your yard look for a place to spend the winter, mice might find your barbeque area an ideal space to nest. Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control is standing by to help you with safe removal measures and a few simple tips for how to keep mice out of BBQ equipment. 

1. Remove All Food Residue

Mice have poor eyesight but possess an excellent sense of smell, so if they detect any food residue left on the grill, this might encourage them to nest there over the winter. The nesting material they use could damage your cooker, so taking the time to clean it thoroughly before you store it can discourage mice from moving in. 

You can ensure no food smells or grease remains on the grill surface itself by burning it off and scraping away anything that is left behind. Once the grill cools, use hot, soapy water to clean all the parts of the equipment and then rinse them thoroughly. When no food smells or residue is present, mice are likely to look elsewhere for a nesting spot. 

2. Cover the Grill Completely 

One way to keep mice from nesting in your barbeque once the cold weather arrives is to store it in a way that does not give them an opportunity to explore it. Once you clean your grill, invest in a tough zippered plastic cover that protects the entire unit. Mice have sharp teeth that can pierce everyday plastic bags, so using a tougher cover and storing the grill in a location that does not encourage rodent activity can keep the unit safe. 

If you have a larger grill and worry that a plastic cover might not offer enough protection, you can purchase a PVC or custom-made metal protective covering. While these may mean a larger investment, they offer more protection than zippered covers. 

3. Store the BBQ Carefully 

Mice do not hibernate and are active all winter long, so you might wonder how to keep mice out of BBQ grills when these rodents are constantly foraging and looking for nesting sites. Proper storage can help discourage them, so it is important that you choose a location that does not attract them. 

If you plan to store your BBQ grill in a shed, clean up any recycling materials, such as old newspapers, or store them in plastic containers with snap-on lids. If you store pet food in the shed, put it into metal trash cans with lids that snap or screw on, as mice are not fussy eaters and will chew into bags to get at the kibble. Inspect your shed’s walls and roof to ensure there are no gaps or holes that might allow mice in. Once mice discover a prime nesting area, they can infect it with bacteria from their droppings and ruin other items stored in your shed with their urine. 

When To Call Us For Help 

If you suspect rodent activity in an area where you plan to store your grill, our experienced technicians can help with services for wildlife removal in Vaughan. They will remove live specimens, nests and droppings and then clean the area thoroughly to ensure the eradication of harmful bacteria. Our techs can also inspect your storage space and seal cracks or gaps so that mice cannot find a way in. 

Cleaning and storing your BBQ grill properly can discourage mice from making their homes inside it, but we are always ready to assist you with wildlife removal in Vaughan if you discover an issue. Contact us today for the safe and humane removal of unwanted rodent guests that could pose a threat to your home.