Have you been hearing squeaky sounds in your home lately? Wondering what that strange musky odor is? Who has been gnawing your furniture and food?
Well, if you haven’t found the answers to these questions yet, then we hate to tell you this but your house is most possibly been invaded by mice. If mice infestation in your home is not addressed on time, it can turn into a huge problem.
Of Mice and Men
Appearance
House mice are the most common types of rodent pests in most parts of the world. They are small furry creatures with slender bodies measuring between 2 to 3 1/2 inches in length. Their tails are 3 to 4 inches long and are hairless. They may be light brown or grey in color. Their snouts are typically pointed and have small rounded ears.
Habitat
Though they can survive outdoors, they like to reside in structures like homes. They like to hide under the sink, kitchen cabinets, in and behind the closet and pantry, attic, basements, garages and food storage areas. Mice usually build their homes near areas where they can easily find food virtually; they like to eat 15 to 20 times a day after all.
Reproduction
The speed at which they reproduce is alarming and needs to be dealt with immediately before it turns into a nightmare for you. Did you know female mice can give birth when they are 2 months old? They can have babies 6 to 10 times each year! They can give birth to up to dozen babies every three weeks
which totals to 150 babies each year.
Telltale Signs of Mouse Infestation in your Home
Here are some tell-tale signs of mice infestation:
- Gnawed holes in stored foods
- Food scraps and wrappings left behind
- Strange and unpleasant musky odor
- Squeaky noise
- You hear skittering on hardwood and laminate floors like someone’s scratching
- Mouse droppings- Even if you’ve never spotted a mouse, but if you see its droppings, then that is a sure sign that your home has a mouse infestation problem.
- Unexplained holes and tears in your clothes, insulation and other materials. Mice use shredded materials to build their nests.
- Small holes in kitchen cabinets and furniture. Mice like to chew wood and make new homes in such places. So you definitely need to watch out for that!
- You see runaways and small footprints on the wet floor
- And of course you spot a mouse in your home
All these signs indicate a mouse infestation. Don’t ignore it or leave it unchecked. Their speedy breeding and refuge in your home can turn into a menace.
Why You Need Pest Control – Harm Due to Mouse Infestation
According to CDC, mice are known to spread over 35 diseases. These diseases can be spread through direct contact through handling it and through contact with its feces, urine, or saliva.
Some of the most common diseases carried and transmitted by mice include rickettsialpox, salmonellosis, leptospirosis and lymphoytic choriomeningitis virus. Mice are also known to spread diseases through mites, fleas and ticks.
Other problems that you can face due to mouse infestation are structural damage, food contamination with urine, hair and droppings.
The smell they give off can cause breathing problems.
Mice Infestation Treatment – Prevention Techniques
To help you protect your home from mice infestation, here are some great tips for you:
1. Place Snap Traps to Catch these furry Creatures Dwelling inside your Home without Your Permission
This is a good way to catch mice residing inside your home. You can place food items as bait to attract these creatures. Also, you can place sticky traps. These are also good to catch mice and come in handy to
monitor their movement and pinpoint their location inside your home. The sticky trap sticks to its skin allowing you to monitor its movement.
2. Sanitation
Keep your home clean. Make sure you clean up, vacuum and mop the floor in case of food or sticky liquid spills. Make a habit of cleaning the kitchen every now and then especially areas like cabinets, sink and your cooking range.
3. Make Your Home a ‘No Go Zone’ for Mice
Look for small holes around plumbing and inside cabinets. Plug the holes with steel wool so that mice are unable to enter your home. Also, make sure that there is no room to crawl under doors. This is important because they can easily squeeze through a 6mm gap.
4. Store Your Food Properly
To prevent mice infestation, make sure your storage areas are clean and you pack and store your food
properly.
5. Use Mouse Repellents
To exterminate and prevent mice from sneaking into your home, you can also use mice repellents. These are poisonous chemicals used to kill mice. However, since these are poisonous, it is advisable to use them carefully and cautiously.
Hire a Professional Mouse Exterminator
When all else fails, it’s advisable to call in the expert, a professional mouse exterminator. They have the skills, experience and equipment to exterminate mice from your home for the longest time. They use effective chemicals and control methods that can get rid of mice quickly.