Many homeowners wonder if it’s ok to have mice in their homes. There are many people who are pet lovers so killing mice may seem like a cruel or inhumane act. But having a mice infestation can have many disastrous consequences on your home and health.
In this article, we’ve provided valuable information about how to detect if you have mice in the home. We’ve also discussed why having a mouse infestation is extremely detrimental to your wellbeing and how to get rid of them. Keep reading to find out more!
How to Know if You Have Mice in the House
The most obvious sign of having mice in the house is seeing them scurry across your floor. But sometimes mice hide in your walls or ceiling and you won’t know they’re there until it’s too late. Here are common signs you may have a mice infestation.
Mice Droppings
Mice droppings have the same shape and size as grains of rice. However, they’re dark in colour and you can tell by the shade if they’re new or old droppings. Light brown indicates that the droppings are new. Dark brown or black droppings is an indication that they’re old. You may find mice droppings in:
- Kitchen cabinets
- Utility closets
- Crawl spaces
- The roof
- Air vents
The mice usually defecate near their breeding or nesting grounds so wherever the droppings are you’re most likely to find the infestation.
Grease Marks
Mice excrete grease from their coats which can be transferred onto any surface they run across. As they make their way through small openings they smudge this greasy substance onto surfaces. Inspect your home to see if you can see these grease marks around small openings.
Piled Nesting Material
Mice make their nests out of twigs and grass. When mice invade your home they’ll bring these nesting materials into your house. If you find piled nests in your roof, crawl spaces or air vents, this is a sure indication that you have a mice infestation.
Musty Odours
Mice have a musty odour that they leave behind. This odour helps mice mark their territory. Additionally, mice don’t have control over their bladders so they urinate frequently which can also cause musty odours. If you smell damp or a strong musty stench in your home you may have a mice infestation.
Holes or Damaged Wiring
Mice gnaw holes in your wall to gain access to different parts of your home especially to any food or water source. They may also gnaw on various materials such as wiring to build their nests. If you find small holes around door frames or in corners, and suspicious bite marks on wiring you may have a mouse problem.
What Happens if You Don’t Fix Your Mice Infestation?
Most people wonder if having mice in the home is a bad thing and we’re here to confirm that it’s never a good idea to have mice in your house. Mice may look unintimidating to some people but they can be a nuisance to homeowners.
Additionally, it can be embarrassing to have mice in the home because they are known to be dirty creatures that urinate, defecate and spread diseases around the house. Here are common problems you’ll face if you don’t fix your mice infestation immediately.
Mice Multiply Fast
Mice have a gestating period between 19 and 21 days and a female mouse can get pregnant immediately after giving birth. They can reproduce between 5 and 10 times per year. One female mouse can produce 32 to 56 pups each year. This simply goes to show how fast mice can multiply.
Mice Are a Health Hazard
According to the CDC (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) mice can spread up to 35 different types of harmful illnesses which include:
- Leprosy
- Lassa fever
- Salmonella
- The plague
- Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
Mice spread these types of sicknesses through droppings, saliva and urine. With severe mice infestations the chances of catching these diseases increases.
Mice Can Destroy the Integrity of Your Home
As a homeowner, your house is your investment and any damage to the integrity of your home can decrease its value. Property damage can also cost money because you’ll need to fix damages to improve value.
One way mice destroy your property is by chewing on wires. This is a fire hazard because wires cause electric sparks that can set your house on fire.
Mice also chew through soft wood, drywall, rubber and plastic. They may also chew through carpeting which can cost a lot of money to fix.
Mice Will Eat Anything
Most rodents enter the home in search of food and water. Mice will invade your cupboards to try and get to foods such as grains or cereal. They’ll also eat any vegetables lying outside of fridges or leftover food on plates.
How to Prevent Mice From Invading Your Home
Prevention is always better than cure so here are common ways you can prevent mice infestations in the home:
- Seal any cracks or openings
- Rid your house of garbage
- Seal your food
- Keep your house clean
- Fix water leaks
- Keep outside bins away from your home
If you live near open fields taking these extra precautions becomes vital to prevent severe mice infestations.
Will Mice Leave on Their Own
Many people believe that mice will simply leave their homes. But the truth is, as long as the mice have shelter and a food and water source they won’t leave your house. That’s why it’s best to take the necessary measurements to rid your home of mice before the problem gets worse.
What To Do About a Mice Infestation
Many homeowners try to get rid of mice on their own using poisons or mice traps. However, these methods may not always kill all the mice living on your property. Additionally, handling poison is a health hazard to you and your pets if you have them.
The best way to get rid of mice is to call in professional exterminators who know how to get rid of all mice on your property the safe way. Pest control services are certified companies that know how to deal with moderate and severe mice infestations.
Conclusion – Who To Call
When dealing with mice don’t take matters into your own hands. Trust professional pest control services to rid your home of mice and stop them from coming back. Pest control can find the source of the problem to effectively eliminate your mice infestation successfully.
Utilising the assistance of pest control services reduces the risk of contracting harmful illnesses from mice. Pest control also conducts thorough clean-ups so you don’t have to risk dealing with dead mice on your property. And lastly, pest control services ensure the safety of your family by controlling the use of chemicals used to eliminate mice in your home.
Choose pest control services instead of tackling the problem yourself so you don’t have to come in direct contact with the mice. Pest control is affordable and thoroughly rids your home of all living rodents.