Have you ever visited a pet store and watched the tiny mice in their cages? When looking at them running around on their wheels, it can be hard to imagine they’d ever be a problem if you brought them home. But, just like a tiger in a zoo, if not kept caged, the house mouse can do a fair amount of harm.
How To Tell If You Have A Mouse Infestation
In the fall as the weather cools rodents tend to seek out warm shelter for the winter. When mice get into homes, they tend to remain unseen by hiding inside of wall voids during the day. At night, after you have gone to sleep and it’s quiet, they venture out into the interior of your home, leaving some telltale signs behind. Here are some things you can look for to identify a mouse infestation in your house.
- Gnaw marks on the legs of furniture
- Pellet fecal droppings
- Boxes of food with holes chewed in them
- Shredded paper, fabric, or dried plant matter around your home
- Holes chewed through walls or floorboards
With a more significant mouse infestation, you will also notice scampering sounds in your walls and ceiling voids late at night, and you may smell urine in the air.
Are Mice Dangerous?
Despite their small size and cute appearance, mice can be very dangerous. First, they carry a variety of dangerous diseases which they can transmit through their fecal matter and urine. Second, they host parasitic pests such as fleas, mites, and ticks, which they bring into homes and can transmit to your pets. Finally, with their constant need to chew, they run the risk of gnawing through the electrical wiring or utility pipes inside your home, leading to a fire or flooding, and costing you thousands in home repair costs.
Rodent Prevention Tips
If your home is currently rodent-free, there are some steps you can take to keep it that way. Here are a few of our suggestions:
- Use wire mesh and a caulking gun to seal up potential entry points around your home. Make sure to seal even small openings as they will gnaw them larger to gain entry into your home.
- Install door sweeps on all exterior doors.
- Store all leftovers and boxed food inside of airtight plastic containers.
- Clean regularly, making sure no scraps of food are left out.
- Make sure all of your trash cans have tight-fitting lids.
The Best Rodent Elimination Tip
If a mouse has wondered into your house, a few carefully placed traps baited with peanut butter may solve your problem quickly. If more mice have found their way inside, your best course of action is to give the professionals here at Phenom Pest Protection a call. Our technicians have the tools and know-how to safely and effectively remove rodents from your home and keep them out for good.
