This little critter looks cute, doesn’t it? That’s until it enters your home and you become suddenly afraid of this tiny creature. The reality is no one wants mice in their home, but did you know they pose dangers to your health and home? Here’s our guide to mice and how to get rid of them either on your own or with help from an animal control specialist.
Signs of mice in your home
They might be small and fast, but there are ways to find out if there are mice in your home. Look out for the following:
- Droppings;
- Chewed plastic or furniture;
- New odours. Mice tend to emit a musky odour.
Each of these signs can help you find the areas where mice have made themselves comfortable in your abode.
If your furniture looks beat up and chewed up, chances are good it’s a mouse.
How they get into your home
No matter how hard you try to keep your home clean, mice can find their way in through tiny crevices:
- Cracks and holes in the walls, floors and foundations;
- Gaps in windows or ceilings;
- Through sewer lines;
- Plumbing and gas lines.
If there was a hole in the wall, you’d notice that, right? But here’s the problem: mice can fit into very small holes, therefore there’s a good chance you won’t even notice an unsealed opening, but a mouse will.
These are common places a mouse can enter into your home.
Who would want a mouse lurking around their house? No one obviously! Don’t worry – there are a ton of ways to get rid of them. But first, you should be aware of the following pieces of information:
They multiply
If you think you only have one mouse in your home, think again. Female mice are very fertile and can breed within one day of giving birth. After a month or so, the mice in the litter are able to reproduce, and the vicious birthing cycle continues. If one littler has an average of 10 mice, then your home can be infested with dozens of mice within months. When there’s a mice in your home, it’s important to act fast. Use our directory to find an animal control specialist that will service your neighbourhood to get rid of the critters ASAP.
They can make you sick
Mice, especially deer mice, carry a virus called hantavirus. The virus is usually found in a rodent’s urine and feces. While it doesn’t make the animal sick, it could make you sick thanks to cross-contamination with dust from mice nests or droppings. A person can also fall ill from the virus after cleaning droppings and touching their eyes, nose or mouth. It could take anywhere from one to five weeks after being around mice that carry the hantavirus to get sick.
The first signs of illness include the following:
- Fever;
- Severe muscle aches;
- Fatigue.
After a few days, a person may experience difficulty breathing, headaches, dizziness and stomach pain. It’s important to not only visit a doctor if you’re feeling these symptoms, but to call an animal control specialist at the first sight of a mouse.
Who knew a tiny mouse could make you feel like this?
They can ruin your home
Are you in the process of renovating your home? Maybe you’re finishing your basement or building a home addition. Unfortunately, a tiny mouse can put a halt to your home renovation projects. That’s because mice tend to chew on wires, and they’ll find them. Mice are always looking for new places to go and wires could block potential entryways – likes holes where wires typically run through. When this happens, your home is at an increased risk for fire.
Mice also tend to chew soft concrete, wood and drywall, which damages your home and creates new spaces for the mice to move around your home. Yikes!
We have no words for the damage a mouse can cause.
Ban the creatures from your home
While the thought of having a mouse in your home may freak you out and give you the gitters,w e’re here to tell you having a mouse problem is serious, one that needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. From mouse traps to poisons, there are many ways to trap and eliminate mice from your home.
Mouse Traps
Mouse traps are the first and most common solution to getting rid of a mouse because they’re easy to use and don’t require hiring a professional to do the work.
- Electric mouse trap. This type of trap has a high-voltage inside the unit that instantly kills a mouse that crawls into the trap upon finding the bait. Due to its size, it can often kill up to three mice at a time with no chance of escaping. The unit is also concealed in plastic, so you won’t have to physically see the dead mouse. These models are typically more expensive than throw-away traps, but that’s because they’re battery-operated and can be reused. They cost up to $30 per unit.
- Metal traps. These are the most common traps on the market. The snap trap is quick – once a mouse triggers the metal pedal, the trap closes on the pest to keep it contained. Simply throw away the trap once a mouse is trapped inside of it. This is a more cost-effective option on the market. These cost as little as $2 per trap.
For effectiveness, it’s wise to put out anywhere from three to six traps around the house in order to ensure you catch every single one of them. And you’ll know once you’ve caught them all after three or so days of no signs of droppings, sounds or movements coming from the walls, and no more damage to walls, furniture or wires.
It’s our recommendation that you check on your traps at least twice a day to see if you’ve caught anything. The faster they mice are caught, the faster you can sleep better at night!
Courtesy of VictorPest.com.
This person made their very own mouse trap using a water bottle, twine and toothpicks. Check it out:
Poison & Repellents
Using poison to get rid of mice is another common trick, although it does come with its troubles. Used properly based on the directions on the bottle or can, it’s very effective in eliminating a rodent problem. However, if you’re afraid to handle poison for your own health and the sake of those around you, it’s best to defer to the experts. We have a database of animal control specialists who are equipped to handle poisons and other rodent repellents to get rid of your mouse problem.
Pest & Animal Control Expert
DIY mouse traps, poisons and repellents are easy ways to get rid of mice, but that doesn’t mean it always work. Since mice multiply so quickly and move so fast, they could have been lurking in your home for weeks before you realized there was a problem in the first place.
If you’ve spent weeks setting up traps without catching a single mouse, chances are good it won’t happen. That’s why it’s important to call a professional pest control expert to take control of the situation. They’re equipped with the right knowledge and tools to get the job done safely and efficiently.
Future Prevention
Mice infestations are a hassle to deal with. That’s why it’s important to take preventative measures to protect your home! Here’s a handful of tips to think about:
- Keep food in thick containers with tight lids.
- Clean up spills and food messes as soon as they happen.
- Seal gaps and holes with caulking, metal or concrete depending on the location.
- Don’t let pet food linger.
If you already taken these necessary precautions and find a mouse in your home, bring in an expert to solve the problem. Use our extensive directory to find a professional pest control expert nearest you. Read through customer reviews to find the right professional and get your home back in order!
