House mice can easily be identified with their large ears and pale brown or dark grey coat. When you notice a rodent in your home or shed, that often means it's not alone. They come indoors for protection, to feed and to breed. Many people are afraid of mice, but the worse is the damage they do.
Mice reproduce quickly: up to 8 litters of 6 babies per year. That is why you need to act quickly as soon as you notice the presence of a mouse.
Damage done by mice
Indoors, mice cause various kinds of damage: they chew on wires, leave droppings behind, "borrow" from your food supplies, and damage pipes, sometimes causing gas or water leaks. They can also destroy or contaminate insulation material, which can greatly affect the structure of your house.
Signs of their presence in your house
Here are a few key signs that will help you determine if mice have invited themselves indoors:
- Fresh droppings along walls or behind furniture
- Scratching within a wall at night
- Chewed up materials and wires
- Damaged food supplies in pantry
- Tracks on dusty floors (attic, basement)
- Pets behave in an unusual way
What to do in case of an infestation
When it's too late and the infestation has already occurred, you can use any of the solutions below, according to your needs. Several types of products allow you to efficiently get rid of rodents in the home or garage. Here are a few:
- Traditional mouse traps
- Sticky traps
- Ultrasonic devices
- Poisoned baits
- Bait stations
Mice can carry and transmit diseases
Mice carry numerous bacteria that can transmit diseases to humans. It is important to clean all surfaces that are contaminated or may have been contaminated by rodents. Several common diseases can be transmitted by mice:
- Salmonella
- Typhus
- LCM virus
- Lyme disease
- Tularemia
How to prevent infestations by mice
Surely, you do not want to share your house with mice. Here are a few tips to help you prevent the situation:
- Use a barrier-type spray to keep them away from exterior garbage cans
- Caulk cracks in siding
- Caulk windows
- Plug openings in foundations
- Install wire screens on vents
- Keep your kitchen clean and foods, including pet food, in hermetically sealed containers
- Place garbage in cans with a tight lid
- Tidy up closets
- Repair leaks under sinks and outdoors
- Trim grass around buildings
- Install weather strips under doors
- Avoid providing mice with places where they can breed near the garage or house
