As the sun shines this summer, and you wish to spend more time in the garden, so do your local pests. It's important to be aware of any pests in and around your property during these warmer months to protect both your health and your home.

It can be hard to initially spot a pest problem, but once you do, you must act upon it as soon as possible. While they may seem harmless, pests such as mice can have a significant impact on your health, as they are known to carry harmful diseases.

With this in mind, pest control expert at WhatCost, Joshua Houston, has shared one key way you can deter mice from your property this summer, and it's easier than you think. This task is solely to prevent them from getting into your home in the first place, and it is better to do now before that much-anticipated sunshine sets in.

What Houston advises, before it gets to the point of infestation, is simply sealing any potential entry points where mice can enter your home. Whether it's holes in your walls or spots in your garage, mice only need a space as small as the size of a pencil to enter, so bear this in mind when doing so.

Mice tend to seek out spots where people aren't around, as lonesome little creatures, so you're most likely to find them nestling in your loft or garage and any small voids and crawl spaces. Their mission is to burrow and venture out in the hope of finding scraps of food to bring back to their humble new home.

This is the big problem for homeowners, as they will nibble away at any food they can find. It's not just your rubbish bins or food scraps that can attract them, but even the fresher food stored in your cupboards – and that's when you've got a real problem at hand.

Not to mention, mice are known for carrying a whole load of bacterial and viral infections, which can be a real danger to your home. The first sign of an infestation is droppings or any bite marks on furniture or items around the house; that's when you need to act immediately.

Another common way to bid farewell to the pests is by using live traps. This is considered to be the most ethical approach to getting rid of mice, as it doesn't kill them like other solutions out there. However, by sealing any potential entrance ways, you can avoid this issue altogether.

The pest control expert explained: ''After a long, wet winter season, the UK is due for a sustained period of warm weather. We all want to finish work and relax in our outdoor space facing the sunshine. However, a hindrance to this is those irritating pests.

''You must keep on your toes to ensure your home is clear of any potential pests. They can be dangerous to yourself and your family, so use these tips to identify if you have a pest problem and what the pest is.''

When it comes to your health, it's important to note the potential risks, and with mice, some of the most common diseases they carry include salmonella, leptospirosis and Weil's disease, according to Pest Defence.

They further explained that mice can pass diseases in many ways, through ingestion of food items, scratches and bites, touch and even inhalation.