Mice, mice everywhere! It seems that fall is the time when you see mice. Seriously, do you ever even give them a thought during the spring or summer months? Unlikely! That is because they are perfectly content to live and breed in the great outdoors while we plant our spring flowers and gardens and swelter in the heat of summer. Nope, that doesn’t bother them one bit. However, the moment that the weather begins to change and the wind develops that nip, they come scurrying for cover. That is the one thing about mice; they hate the cold, which is why you see so many of them in the fall. They much prefer your warm, cozy home complete with the stockpile of food in your kitchen pantry to the cold, wet, foodless winter meadow. After all, your home really is a wise choice – for them.
Mice are dangerous creatures to spend the winter with though; so it is not wise for you to allow them to stay. Not only do they have the incessant need to chew, but they love to chew on wires. This habit greatly increases your risk of fire! They also carry ticks and fleas – think about it, these furry little pests do not have the advantage of a vet who can supply them with products to eliminate ticks and fleas; and where do they live all spring and summer? In the tall grasses and fields and woods! This is exactly where those awful, disease spreading fleas and ticks live. In fact, mice can come fully loaded with parasites that spread illnesses such as: Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and others. Never mind the fact that mice can spread Salmonellosis, Hantavirus, Leptospirosis, and several lymphocytic diseases all on their own.
There are a few things that you can do that will help deter mice from choosing your home to overwinter in. Remember, mice are searching for warmth, water, and food so deterring mice centers around eliminating these comforts for them:
Seal all cracks and holes that are 1/4'' or larger
Replace weather stripping around doors
Make sure door sweeps are intact
Repair holes in screens on doors and windows
Ventilate attics, crawlspaces, and basements properly
Eliminate moisture from leaky pipes and AC units
Remove trash and garbage from your property promptly
Store trash in tightly covered containers while awaiting removal
Store food in air tight containers
Call a professional to set up an inspection and a pest control plan
That’s right! Usually a pest control professional, like one of our team of experts here at Thomas Pest Control, is your best defense when it comes to mice. These creatures are resourceful, sneaky, and aggressive. They are also very social and are prolific breeders. When you see one mouse, you can be sure there are many, many more that you do not see. Our trained rodent specialists will evaluate your property to determine where these mice are originating from and how they are accessing your home. We will work with you to eliminate access points and existing mice colonies and then set up a barrier to prevent future infestation. When you team up with Thomas, you can be sure that you will not have to deal with overwintering pests!