Pest Guide : What Is a Mouse?

Mice are attracted to homes that provide them easy access to shelter, food, and water. Often, mice will first find a home due to outside food sources, including compost piles, bird feeders, and garbage cans. Once outside the home, mice will try to find a way inside through cracks and crevices.

After the mice have entered into your home, they often hide behind large appliances or in dark areas, such as crawlspaces, attics, or cabinets.

Mice are absolutely dangerous to your family, pets, and property. They spread diseases, including dysentery, salmonella, and leptospirosis. They can even introduce parasites, including mites, fleas, and ticks. While scavenging, they can contaminate your food sources and water, leading to further illness.

At the same time, they cause a lot of structural damage to homes and belongings. Because they have a constant need to chew, they will chew through practically everything. Mice and rats have caused fires and deaths by chewing threw wires.

Because mice are nocturnal and shy, it can be difficult to locate and exterminate these creatures. Many homeowners find that setting traps and using store-bought baits are not effective for them. Not properly setting traps and placing baits can also lead to safety issues for children and pets. Ineffective treatments can allow a mouse problem to become a mouse infestation. Expertly trained professionals are recommended to effectively remove mice infestations from the home as a result.

There are dozens of DIY mouse extermination options on the market. Although some of these DIY methods are effective for one mouse or two, they are seriously lacking when dealing with a full-blown mouse infestation. Plus, many of these DIY methods are dangerous to use around your home if you do not know how to apply them effectively.

For these reasons, you should not try to get rid of mice yourself. Instead, trust professionals who know what they are doing so that your mouse infestation gets handled safely and effectively.

Mice can be difficult to prevent since they are frequently outside and can fit through the smallest of spaces. However, there are some things you can do to prevent them from infiltrating your home.

Most importantly, seal up any cracks or crevices near the home’s exterior. Doing so will prevent them from getting inside your house.

Additionally, keep the exterior home clean. Make sure to place all compost piles, wood piles, and garbage cans away from the home so the mice aren’t tempted to come inside. Furthermore, maintain your lawn and place bird seed at distance away from your home so mice don’t find a way inside.

Lastly, keep the inside of your home clean. Clean up any waste and store all food in airtight containers. Additionally, try to minimize clutter in basements, attics, closets, and other areas where mice frequent.