Nothing seems annoying, like finding mouse droppings on your grill. Mice can invade your BBQ grill if it is not used for a long time or when there is food left on it. These creatures are not only irritating, but they carry diseases with them as well. They have viruses and bacteria in their bodies, and their urine and feces are dangerous to human health. Keeping them completely off your grill takes patience and time. A few preventive measures and some other methods are a sure way to keep them from hiding on the grill.
1. Remove the remaining food and sanitize the grill
Rodents are generally attracted to food scraps, and it is safer to ensure that the grill is left clean. The smell of food will attract rodents and other animals.
It is advisable to have protective clothing such as gloves when cleaning mice that land on the grill. Rodent droppings and urine cause disease in humans. Scrape off any food debris and use a sponge, warm water and dish detergent to clean surfaces. Wipe it with a dry paper towel. A clean place discourages rodents from burning the regulators or remaining on the grill.
2. Grill covers
Investing in quality, durable grill covers is a surefire way to keep mice away. A mouse can chew through anything, and it’s best to find tear-resistant materials. The cover must be able to withstand all the elements of the weather to prevent it from being thrown away. Cover your grill whenever you are not using it to prevent mice from staying inside.
Grill covers come in various sizes, designs and different materials. A zippered cover is the best option to consider when you don’t want mice to make your BBQ grill their home. Mice like to shelter in warm areas with a pleasant smell of food. A rodent-proof cover protects against mouse droppings and urine inside the grill.
3. Repellents
There are store-bought rodent repellents you can buy to help keep mice away. Peppermint oil is an excellent repellent to keep rodents away as the smell is unpleasant to them. Use raw peppermint oil with some cotton balls and place it near the grill. Alternatively, use a peppermint oil spray; a mixture of oil with water and a little liquid dishwashing detergent. Use a spray bottle to apply the mixture around the grill to keep mice from staying on the grill. Avoid spraying directly on the grill as this may contaminate the next cooking, which may be harmful to your health.
Scents that mice can’t stand can be placed inside your BBQ grill to repel mice. Just put them under the grill or inside when you’re not using it for cooking. Mice can’t stand the smell of cloves or mothballs, and when used on the grill, it keeps them away. Mice are annoyed by irritating noise, and ultrasonic repellents work best by emitting waves that repel them.
Another option would be to use rat poison, eg. Tomcat plus mouse bait. Mice may not die in the exact spot you placed the trap when using this method. Please do not use it directly on the grill, but at the entry points, mice can access your grill.
4. Set traps
Placing mouse traps will keep them off sitting on BBQ grills. Place traps near the grill and regularly check to see if anything catches. If you plan to catch and release mice elsewhere, consider using live mouse traps. Other mouse traps that can be of use are glue traps or snap traps. They are useful but sometimes not suitable for outdoor use. Find the best mouse trap that works best for you, whether it’s electric, live catch, or glue traps, and make sure you drop the trapped mice away from your home.
- Electric traps release a high voltage shock that quickly kills mice. Mice are stubborn, and will find their way back if not disposed of properly while they are alive. Most electric mouse traps use batteries that can be replaced with new ones if they stop working.
- Snap traps are the most commonly used method to catch mice. They are easy to set up and will see the mice quickly if set up correctly.
- Glue traps use adhesives to trap mice when they stick to it. Place them along mouse travel paths or any areas where you notice droppings and gnawing. Use enough glue traps and combine this method with another method to catch mice.
- Humane mouse traps allow you to catch mice without necessarily killing them.
- Whirling mouse traps.
A rolling log placed on top of a bucket half filled with water will cause the mice to lose their balance and fall directly into it. Drill two holes on the sides of the bucket and place the logs with some bait in it. The trick should be placed in the center of the log and regularly check to throw away any trapped mice.
With the traps, you will know if the mice are caught or not, throw them out before they start to produce an unpleasant smell. Trapping the mouse one by one can be tiring; a multi-catch live mouse trap allows you to catch more than one mouse at the same time. Use appropriate mouse-attracting baits on the set trap. Cheese or peanut butter is one of the useful tricks that one can use to lure mice to the trap if you want to catch it. Sometimes you need to use more than one method at once to catch these annoying rodents.
Conclusion
The invasion of mice on a BBQ grill is not only harmful to human health, but creates damage to the grill itself. They will gnaw on the gas regulator and cause unexpected gas leaks. To keep them out completely, remove any access points by tidying up the area around your grill. Seal any holes that might encourage them to make a home in your grill. When using mouse traps, place them behind your grill or in enclosed areas where they like to nest. Use whichever method works best, depending on the mouse infestation, to have a rodent-free grill.
GriVic, a perfect place to review grill and kitchen accessories. You can learn about all kinds of products related to your kitchen from here.
