One of the most troubling pests that can get into your home is the common mouse. Mice are very adaptable to environmental changes and too many kinds of environmental settings. Whether you are in the country or in the city, mice can be a large problem for you. The common house mouse will eat food that is meant for people and for house animals like dogs and cats. They also can contaminate surfaces, like counters and tables, with their saliva, urine and feces, all of which contain salmonella (the primary source of food poisoning). They will also eat into walls, insulation, and other materials in the house causing serious damage.
The first thing to do is recognize when you have an infestation. The most common signs to look for are places in the home that have been gnawed, places that have pest droppings and any track signs (like a urine line). Nests are also a common indicator and are generally made from small materials that they can easy carry and remove, such as paper, string and insulation. Another common indication that you have mice is that a musty odor is present; however, you would need a good amount of mice for this to be noticeable right away. It is easier to find them at night than it is during the day since mice are nocturnal creatures. If you notice things like insulation holes, paper crumbles, and food crumbs, you may have an infestation. It is also a common sign of a mouse infestation when you hear things in the walls, more so at night than during the day.
There are plenty of ways that mice can get into your home. One of the most common is that there are holes and entrances for them to just be able to walk right into your house. These can include cracks in the foundation, broken windows, and leaving doors open to a garage or the front door. Mice can contort their bodies very well, so even a slight crack in the foundation of your home can let them inside. Consider this: the average size house mouse can fit into a hole the size of a penny if done correctly.
Now that you know how to look for them and how they can get into your home, you need to know some remedies for removing them. You may want to try some of these home remedies. A common treatment is to use peppermint oil. Peppermint oil, even in incredibly small amounts, is very hard for them to breathe in and upsets their respiratory system. Dilute peppermint oil with warm water in a spray bottle and spray in areas that you think they are coming in. Consider getting a cat that will take care of the problem for you. You can also try the rat traps that close when a mouse enters them, effectively killing the mouse and you never have to touch it.
To try and prevent mice from entering your home, you need to make sure that your house is mouse proofed. First, you want to make sure you are checking around the windows and doors. Most cracks and holes are around the trimming. Make sure to fill them in using either copper or wire meshing. If you have cracks in your foundation, consider filling them with copper meshing and a concrete (or similar) mix. Be sure to check all the flashing around any chimneys and be sure that you have a filter screen in your chimney to prevent mice from coming down the flue. If you have loose siding or trim on your house, check behind it to make sure there aren’t burrow holes and secure back in place tightly. If you have a garage, make sure that you are using a door sealer strip to prevent mice from sneaking in between the concrete floor and the metal door. Ensure that you have no leaks in your plumbing as it is possible for mice to climb through sink and toilet pipes and into your home.
A tidy house is the best mouse free home. Mice are drawn to homes that collect garbage, are messy and odorous, or that are in run down condition. Cleaning up food will keep them away as well since they won’t be attracted by a food smell. Make sure that you take out trash and that it is securely in a bin. Check your house every so often and make sure that you clean messes as they happen, including outside since smells travel.
If you choose to remove mice with the no-kill method, make sure that you aren’t going to have those same mice moving back in. If you plan to release them, it is best that you take them at least five miles from your home. Mice have a very good sense of smell and can find their way back through several miles. If you have them in a cage or trap you may also want to consider spraying it with peppermint oil to help them lose the trail of going back.
Mice can be a real pest problem for homeowners, renters, commercial buildings, schools, marinas, public transportation facilities, public storage buildings and more. Alliance Pest Services can help remove rodents and prevent all your rodent and mice problems.