When it comes to unwanted guests, it is pretty safe to assume that mice are amongst those who are definitely not invited! House mice can cause havoc in your house, and need the expert touch of a pest control professional to ensure that they are evicted – and stay out.
If you think you have a problem with furry friends, give our Environmental Pest Management team a call today, and start taking control back.
What Are House Mice?
The humble house mouse is one of the most common rodents found across the United States, and one of our most frequent calls. Originally from Central Asia, these animals are keen breeders and are super flexible and adaptable to ever-changing conditions. This makes them hard to hunt down and eliminate; they always seem to be one step ahead of the game.
House mice are not particularly fussy when it comes to food. Their preference is for nuts and seeds, but they have been known to stick their noses (and teeth) into all manner of household groceries and will tackle anything and everything available within your home.
House mice are naturally inquisitive creatures and will spend time roaming their new home and territory, exploring and searching out new places to sleep, and potentially interesting sources of food. Try to keep food out of sight, sealed, and secured to limit their access and make your home less tempting.
When will I See House Mice?
You are more likely to encounter an infestation during the winter months. House mice do not hibernate, so as the temperature drops, they will actively search for a warm, secure location to pass the winter. Gaps in doors and walls, open windows, pipe openings, utility lines, and almost any other uncovered space will be used to make their entry, and they will soon make themselves at home!
Blocking these spaces, and limiting possible access routes, is one of the best ways to help reduce your chances of an infestation, but you would be surprised at just how sneaky these four-legged invaders can be! Check out our tips for winterizing your home.
How Do I Know I Have House Mice?
Identification is relatively simple when it comes to house mice. Mice tend to be a dusty grey color with cream-colored bellies. However, their fur can also range from dark grey to light brown depending on where in the world you are. They also have round furry bellies, pointed muzzles, and large ears, and will measure around 2.5 – 3.75 inches in length, with the tail reaching 2.75 to 4 inches.
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Signs of an Infestation
You are very likely to see the signs that you have a mouse problem long before you ever catch a glimpse of the actual mouse. There are a few signs to look out for which suggest an infestation.
Signs to Look for:
- Teeth marks: you may notice tiny gnaw marks in furniture, food, and even soft furnishings. These could be signs of unwanted guests.
- Burrows: In some cases, you may see the nests which have been made, or a collection of potential nesting materials, such as insulation.
- Droppings: The droppings of house mice measure between ⅛ and ¼ inch long, and are rod-shaped with pointed ends. They may be dried and hard or soft, depending on when they were deposited.
- Rub marks: Check the walls for rub marks; house mice tend to leave an oily trail as they travel and move along the walls.
- Tracks: One of the most apparent signals is seeing tracks that have been left behind.
- Runways: House mice tend to be creatures of habit, and will prefer to use the same pathways in a house. You may soon notice a collection of rub marks, droppings, tracks, and debris along these paths.
- Damage to property: If food or other temptations are left exposed, you will find torn and damaged packets and boxes.
- Sounds: Mice communicate with others through a series of high-pitched squeaks, and you may be able to hear some of these if your wars are particularly sharp. Scuttling feet maybe another giveaway that you have a mouse in the house!
- Odor: House mice use their strong-smelling urine as a form of communication, and this will quickly become apparent in your home.
- Actual mouse: the most obvious sign is, of course, seeing a mouse in the flesh; there is likely to be a whole family lurking very close by.
Why Is It So Important To Remove Mice?
Mice may seem furry and harmless, and may even trick you into thinking they are cute! Despite this facade, it is crucial to call in the experts if you suspect a mouse problem.
House mice have the potential to harbor a number of unpleasant diseases, and some of these can be very dangerous to humans. Getting scratched or bitten by a mouse could cause health issues, as could eating food that has been contaminated.
Mouse urine can also have more issues than an unpleasant smell. Urine has the potential to cause allergies and carry bacteria. Bacteria is particularly dangerous to the more vulnerable members of your household, such as children or the elderly. If you suffer from a pre-existing respiratory problem, inhaling dust containing feces can trigger symptoms, and cause serious potential harm.
In addition, mice like to chew. Chewing can cause damage to your property, as well as a potential fire risk if they target cables or wiring. This could have devastating impacts on your family and increases the longer you leave mice to run rampant. Mice are keen breeders, giving birth to half a dozen babies per female every three weeks! As you can imagine, it doesn’t take long for an infestation to take hold!
Environmental Pest Management
If you think you have a mouse problem, tackle it in the earliest possible stages. Here at Environmental Pest Management, we have the skills and experience you need to eliminate mice from your home and keep them out for the long term! Get in touch today for a free quote and to arrange a consultation; it could be the best call you ever made!