Do you suspect that you are not alone in your home? Has your family been invaded by mysterious creatures of the night? If you are seeing, or hearing, any of the things listed below, you may have unwanted visitors living inside your wall voids and attic spaces.
Tiny dark-colored droppings in the backs of drawers, along walls, in cupboards, or under sinks.
Distinctive smell that smells like ammonia.
Greasy smudges on floors or baseboards.
Chew marks on furniture, wires, plastic, or other materials.
Scratching noises inside your walls or ceilings, squeaking, or gnawing sounds.
Nests made with shredded newspaper or fabrics in hidden places such as behind refrigerators, in wall voids, or storage boxes.
If you have been noticing the signs listed above, there is a good chance you have mice. They leave their droppings and urine everywhere. When the urine smell builds, it smells like ammonia. Mice leave dirty smudges. They tend to run the same routes; and, over time, grease from their fur leads to distinctive marks. And they chew. A lot! Mice have teeth that never stop growing, so they never stop gnawing things. They chew wood and plastic, and chew through food containers. They are even able to chew through cables and wires, posing a fire hazard.
If you have mice, you are likely to hear noises in your walls and attic. They are typically most active at night, and you will hear them while trying to go to sleep. You might also find mouse nests if you go looking. If you are lucky, or unlucky as the case may be, you may even find a nest full of baby mice.
Are mice dangerous?
Mice are known vectors for diseases like salmonella, Hantavirus, leptospirosis, rat-bite fever, and plague. If you think these diseases sound serious, you're right! Here are some things you can do to try to keep these disease-carrying critters out of your house:
Make sure all screens and door sweeps are in good working order.
Use a caulking gun to seal all gaps and cracks on the outside of your home.
Make sure all trash is sealed inside cans with tight fitting lids.
Remove clutter from your yard. Mice love to hide in clutter.
Store firewood away from your home and up off the ground.
Trim all bushes and trees back away from your home. Mice use these things as bridges to reach your house.
Store all food and pet food in airtight containers or in the fridge.
Keep attics, basements, and crawl spaces ventilated and dry.
If you are seeing the signs of mice in your home, it is time to consider calling a professional pest control company. Mice can pose a fire hazard, do damage to your home, and spread disease. Thomas Pest Services is a locally owned and operated company that offers comprehensive pest control solutions that are backed by third generation experience. We are also the proud recipient of the 2013 and 2014 Angie's Super Service Award. If you need to get rid of a mouse infestation, or any other type of pest, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We'd be glad to help.