House mice are the most common home-invading rodent. They are small, about 5 ½ to 7 inches long. This length includes their long and skinny tail, which is covered in a layer of velvety fur. They have a pointed muzzle with whiskers, small black eyes, and larger ears. House mice have a round body, which is covered in light brown to dark gray fur.
House mice should not be underestimated. Infesting a home can cause many problems, including numerous health concerns and property damage. More specifically, these problems are:
- Spreading diseases like salmonellosis, Lassa fever plague, leptospirosis, and hantavirus.
- Bringing in fleas and ticks, parasites that can lead to other health problems like Lyme disease.
- Contaminating food, surfaces, and personal hygiene products with their feces, urine, and saliva.
- Damaging food packaging, personal items, and furniture.
- Chewing through different materials throughout a home such as wood, metal, insulation, and drywall.
- Causing fire and flood hazards when they chew through wires and pipes.
Once house mice get inside your home, they will build nests and reproduce quickly, which is why there is rarely just one little mouse. As a Merrimac resident, understand why mice are attracted to your home, how to keep them away, and what to do if you have an infestation.
Why Are Mice Attracted To My Home?
Mice only need a hole the size of a dime to squeeze through, and with their strong teeth, they can chew through just about anything, making a hole larger to get inside. But why do mice want to get inside in the first place?
House mice have had a long history of dependency on humans. Living so closely, rodents like mice have come to rely on people for food, water, and shelter, which our homes can sometimes provide access to without our knowledge.
- Food sources on your property can include bird feeders, compost bins, unmaintained fruit trees or gardens, food debris, uneaten pet food, and food stored incorrectly.
- Water sources can be leaks, clogged gutters, and puddles.
- A cluttered home makes it easier for mice to hide and move around.
How Can I Keep Mice Away From My Home?
Understanding how and why mice are attracted to your home is helpful in their prevention. To make your home a less desirable place for these pests to live, you should remove access to the factors they need. You can do this by:
- Inspecting and sealing cracks in your home's foundation and exterior walls. This should include using vent covers, filing in gaps around windows and door frames, and ensuring there are no spaces around where utility lines enter your home.
- Installing or repairing screens and weather stripping on all exterior windows and doors.
- Removing firewood, leaf piles, and other debris from your yard.
- Fixing any leaks, unclogging gutters, removing water-damaged wood, and addressing other moisture issues.
- Using airtight containers to store food, removing bird feeders, and securing garbage cans by ensuring they have a tight-fitting lid.
How Can I Get Rid Of Mice In My Home?
Although traps and store-bought baits might seem like a good place to start, they won't eliminate an entire infestation. This is because these devices only catch one or two of these critters before having to be reset. Plus, traps won't solve the how and why they are getting inside.
The safest and most effective way to get rid of a mouse infestation is by contacting the professionals at Freedom Pest Control. With our knowledge and experience, we can make sure you have a mouse-free Merrimac home.
Give us a call today at Freedom Pest Control to learn more.