No, Cheese Isn’t the Best Bait: 5 Pest Myths Debunked

Pest Control & Proofing Myth-Busting Guide - by Denma Cleaning Services

When it comes to pest control, everybody seems to know someone whose cousin's neighbour’s dog once caught a mouse with cheese. Or someone who swears that a bowl of peppermint oil will magically send rats packing.

Truth is… pests don’t read Pinterest.They don’t care about old wives' tales.And unfortunately, believing the wrong “tip” can turn a small pest issue into a full-blown problem.

At Denma Cleaning Services, our pest control and pest-proofing teams work with businesses across the South Coast and the UK — warehouses, offices, retail units, engineering facilities, rental properties, and more. We deal with real pests, real infestations, and real solutions.

So today, we’re busting the 5 most common pest myths that cost people time, money, and (let’s be honest) a bit of sanity.

⭐ Myth #1: “Cheese is the best bait for catching mice.”

Busted.

If mice could leave Tripadvisor reviews, cheese wouldn’t even make the menu.

Mice prefer high-calorie, high-sugar foods.Think: peanut butter, chocolate spread, cereal, dog biscuits, or seeds.

Why cheese became the stereotype? Blame old cartoons.

Faster fix:

Want to attract a mouse to a trap? Use peanut butter — it sticks, it smells strong, and mice love it. And yes, we use professional-grade baits that are far more effective than anything in your kitchen.

⭐ Myth #2: “If I can’t see pests, I don’t have pests.”

Busted (and this one is dangerous).

Pests are sneaky — especially rodents and insects that thrive in dark, quiet spaces.By the time you see them, you’re usually spotting the symptoms, not the start.

Signs you may have unwelcome guests include:

• Gnaw marks on food packaging

• Droppings behind appliances

• Strange scratching sounds at night

• Shredded paper, insulation, or nesting material

Pests don’t announce their presence.

If you hear them, smell them, or find evidence — act fast.

⭐ Myth #3: “Peppermint oil / home remedies will get rid of pests.”

Busted. Sorry, TikTok.

Peppermint oil smells lovely, but pests are not packing tiny suitcases and moving out because your office smells like Christmas.

Pest control requires:

• Blocking entry points

• Removing access to food and water

• Professionally placed traps or licensed treatments

Home remedies aren't a solution — at best, they’re an air freshener.

⭐ Myth #4: “Pest control only matters once there’s a problem.”

Absolutely busted.

Prevention costs far less than infestation.

Businesses (especially warehouses, engineering environments, shops, and offices) should have:

✅ Pest-proofing of building entry points

✅ Routine maintenance checks

✅ Professional documentation for compliance

One mouse can become 200+ mice in months.Proofing stops that from happening.

⭐ Myth #5: “If I clean up, pests will leave.”

Half true — but not enough.

Cleanliness helps discourage pests, but it doesn’t eliminate them.A lot of newly built commercial units and warehouses get pests not because of mess — but because of gaps, access routes, or nearby waste areas.

Pests want:

• Shelter

• Warmth

• Easy access to food

They don't care that the floors are spotless if there’s a hole under the fire exit door.

Why Businesses Choose Denma for Pest Control & Proofing

We don’t just remove pests —we stop them coming back.

Our professional pest control services include:

• Rodent control (rats & mice)

• Insect control (ants, wasps, flies, cockroaches, etc.)

• Pest-proofing (entry point sealing, barrier protection)

• Safe, discreet visits (no company branding if required)

• Compliance documentation for health & safety audits

We work across the South Coast and major UK hubs, including:Eastbourne, Brighton, Portsmouth, Kent, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, and more.

Whether you run:

• a warehouse packed with stock,

• a high-traffic retail space,

• an office with employees coming and going, or

• a rental property that needs a fast response...

We offer affordable pest-proofing and rapid treatment plans.

✅ Final Thought

You don’t need cheese.You don’t need peppermint oil.And you definitely don’t need to wait until you see something scurrying across the floor.

Pest control is a science, backed by proper proofing and professional treatment —not myths, not guesswork, and not DIY hacks from social media.

If your business wants to stay pest-free, compliant, and protected all year round:

📞 Call us: 01323 921 077

🌐 Visit: www.denmacleaningservices.co.uk

✉️ Or send us a message via the contact form on our website.

Denma Cleaning Services

Big enough to handle, small enough to care.