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There’s a Mouse in the House!

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Two gray mice eating a corn on the cob on the counter with other vegetables

There’s a Mouse in the House!

By Glenn Workman, PESTOUT Owner and Veteran

It’s that time of year again. Winter is setting in, and the cold weather is pushing more than cold rain through our front doors. As the temperatures fall, homeowners and renters alike need to keep an eye out for rodents. That’s right — cold weather means that mice and other rodents are looking for food and warmth. Rodents can infest the cleanest homes in urban areas, so you can never be too careful.

Have you ever wondered why rodent infestations first appear in the fall or early winter? Here’s your answer: They need sustenance and shelter as much as we do. As the weather gets colder, rodents’ food and water sources are more scarce. Unfortunately for us, rodents will often venture into our homes to look for food and find a warm place to stay. Are you worried about potential rodent infestations in your home? Don’t worry, because we’ve compiled some key facts and resources to help you out.

Do rodents like being around humans?

Does the thought of rodents scurrying around your home frighten you? You’re not alone — but the chances of you seeing a mouse in your home is pretty slim. That’s because mice and other rodents are nocturnal. They come out at night to look for food, and they’re most active between sunset and sunrise. Even so, you might hear mice traveling through your walls or pipes because of their loud squeaks. If you do see a mouse during the day, that could be a sign that you have a large infestation. It could also mean that someone or something damaged its nest.

Are rodents dangerous?

Rodents are more than a nuisance. In some cases, they can also put our health and safety at risk. A mouse burrowing through your pantry, for example, can contaminate your food and get you sick. Rodents can also trigger asthma and allergy symptoms. The combination of mouse nests and droppings can create an unhygienic environment. Rodents can even spread disease, but this is less common now due to medical advancements.

Besides endangering our health, rodents can also damage the buildings we live in. They’re burrowing creatures, and they can cause a lot of destruction as they burrow through walls. Rodents can gnaw through anything from wires to concrete. As a result, they can cause electrical fires and damage building foundations.

Black mouse sitting on the brown ledge

What signs can reveal a rodent infestation?

So how do you know if you have mice or other rodents wandering around your home? Well, there are several signs you can watch out for:

  • Droppings, small hairs or trails of urine
  • Squeaks or scratching sounds coming from inside your walls or pipes
  • Strong unpleasant smells, like ammonia from urine
  • Nests made of cardboard, fabric or shredded paper
  • Mouse burrow holes near the floor
  • Bite marks in furniture, cables or carpeting
  • Pieces or trails of food and dried goods
  • Unnatural holes in food storage bags
  • Stains on your walls from rodents walking by

Of course, the most obvious sign of a rodent infestation is actually seeing a rodent. But as mentioned above, rodents don’t often come out during the day. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye out for these other signs of an infestation. It’s also worth noting that mice can’t see very well. This is why they use urine and the smell of ammonia to find their nests. If you start smelling unpleasant things in your home, it may be time to start poking around for rodents.

How can I stop mice and rodents from entering my home?

Now that we’ve alarmed you with the ins and outs of rodent infestations, we’re here to tell you how you can prevent them. There are several preventative steps you can take this winter:

  • Seal any cracks or gaps you find in your doors, windows, walls and baseboards. Rodents can slip through small holes, so you have to make sure they can’t find any in your home.
  • Get rid of any debris that rodents can use to build a nest. If you take materials like paper and old wood away from them, they won’t be able to make a home for themselves.
  • If you own a home, make sure any trees or plants in your yard are at least a few feet away from your house. That way, rodents can’t scale a shrub and burrow into your home.
  • Keep your food in airtight containers so that rodents can’t get into them. If you grow fruits and vegetables in your yard, store or dispose of them in a timely fashion. The bottom line is that you shouldn’t keep any food around that rodents could access.
  • If you’re worried about an infestation, make sure to set up traps with edible bait! Traps are most effective wherever you detect the presence of a rodent nest. You can use food items like bacon or peanut butter to attract rodents.
  • Do you already have a sizable rodent infestation on your hands? At that point, it’s time to call a rodent control or pest control service. Professionals can deal with infestations better than the average homeowner.

Even if you’ve never seen a rodent in your home before, it doesn’t hurt to prepare. Keep some traps on hand in case of an emergency, and keep your home clean and organized. Remember — even if you don’t see mice or rats running around, they could still be hiding in your walls! That’s why it’s important to keep food in airtight containers, and to seal any potential holes or cracks.

Pestout provides comprehensive pest control services, including rodent control. Our experts can take care of your rodent problem, no matter how small or large the problem. If you have any questions about rodent infestations in your home, give Pestout a call today. (757) 814-2923

 

Click here for more information about rodent pest control.

Glenn Workman, owner of Pestout, has over 25 years experience in the business. Pestout is a local, family, and veteran owned pest control company, dedicated to delivering the most comprehensive pest, termite and fungus control services throughout Hampton Roads. Call us today to schedule an inspection or treatment. Pestout services the Hampton Roads cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Hampton, Yorktown, Poquoson, Smithfield, Seaford, Gloucester, Toano and Williamsburg. Your children and pets are important to us, so safety is of the utmost importance. We will treat your property and environment as if it is our own.

Call PESTOUT for a free pest inspection today. (757) 814-2923


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