5 Signs You Have Mice
Our homes provide us with warmth and shelter from the elements – a place to eat, sleep and raise our children. Unfortunately, our homes can also provide mice with the same amenities. House mice are the most common rodent problem found in Utah and as fall approaches, mice will be looking for a safe place to nest and store food for the winter. Aside from catching a glimpse of a mouse scurrying by, most homeowners are unaware that they are playing host to unwanted houseguests.
Mice are intelligent and generally stay tucked out of sight; they can actually go unnoticed long before you suspect a problem. If you spot evidence that indicates you have a rodent infestation, then you need to decide if it’s something you can take care of yourself or if it’s time for professional help. There are a few ‘tell-tail’ indications you need to be aware of to keep you and your family healthy from the spread of disease and prevent damage to your home and belongings. Listed below are 5 signs you have mice:
Droppings
Mouse droppings are less than pleasant and often the first sign that you’re sharing your home with mice. A single mouse produces between 40 – 100 dropping every day. Mouse droppings can be found in cupboards, drawers, under kitchen and bathroom sinks or hidden areas. Mouse droppings are identified as dark brown and pellet-sized (about 1/4 inch) with pointed ends; be aware that rat droppings are similar but are bigger (about 1/2 inch) with blunt ends. Determining what type of rodent infestation you have will help you decide the best extermination or control methods to use.
Your Pets Know
Your dog or cat may be paying close attention to a certain area, especially at night, if they smell the presence of a rodent. But don’t think that having an indoor pet will keep the mice away. In fact, you should be very cautious if you suspect a rodent problem because both dog and cat immune systems may not be able to handle some of the diseases that mice and rats can carry. Mice are prolific breeders so if you merely suspect mice take care of the problem before it becomes a full-blown infestation that will put you and your pets at risk.
Sounds at Night
You are most likely to hear the sounds of mice in the house at night; about half an hour after sunset until about half an hour before the sun rises. These little nocturnal creatures can sometimes be heard scurrying around in the attic, ceiling, walls or basement as they move behind floorboards, baseboards, and drywall. You may also hear chatter in the form of high-pitched squeaking, they tend to be most vocal when searching for food and water.
Chewing and Gnawing
Mice have very powerful teeth and will chew through wood, plastic and food packaging to create holes about one and a half inches in diameter to gain access to stored food or to excavate holes to travel through. Mice are excellent climbers and jumpers and can easily run along the wiring tucked into your walls – they have also been known to chew electrical wires, causing a potentially serious fire hazard.
Signs You May Need Expert Help
You can usually successfully take care of a small rodent problem on your own with practical methods like bait and traps. However, there are certain signs that may indicate you have a large population mouse infestation that requires professional extermination. Usually, you will only notice activity at night and never in the daylight hours. But, if you see mice during the day along with an increase in freshly gnawed material and numerous droppings – it is very likely that the mouse population in your home is very large and beyond DIY control.
Legacy Pest Control in Ogden, Utah Offers Unmatched Rodent Extermination Services
Legacy Pest Control Utah uses rodent extermination and control methods to safely and effectively rid your home of mice. Our comprehensive, quality pest control plans come with a guarantee and customer satisfaction is our top priority – we can tailor your treatment plan to include any special needs or requests. Contact us today for your free rodent inspection. *Don’t forget to ask about discounts for senior citizens, retired and active military members and military families.
