Tiny but mighty, mice can produce significant damage to your home. The house mouse is the most common mammal in the United States, giving them the top spot in the list of extermination requests. Homeowners should be diligent this month as mice are searching for shelter before the cold winter months.
Five things you may not know about mice
- Mice can eat! The average male mouse weighs 20-30g, and females weigh in at 18-35g. Do not dismiss their size as the average mouse eats 15-20 times per day. They are industrious and intentional, creating their nest relatively close to a food source such as a kitchen or pantry.
- They are flexible and acrobatic. Mice can climb a roof, jump from a tree, and even swim to get into your home. They can enter through a hole the size of a nickel making small cracks in the foundation and tears in screens a welcome access point.
- The life span is short. Mice often fall prey to cats, foxes, and other predators shortening their life span to under six months. In your home, they may live longer without predators and easy access to food.
- Mice reproduce quickly! As young as two months, mice can give birth to their first litter of up to a dozen babies. The female can then reproduce every three weeks….that makes for a lot of mice in your attic!
- Disease spreaders. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention lists the many health threats that can occur through the spread of bacteria and harmful diseases, including Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome.
baby mouse
Prevention is the key to keeping mice and rodents out of your home.
The National Pest Management Association shares this comprehensive list of tips. Fortunately, there are many ways homeowners can proactively prevent and get rid of rodent infestations in their homes:
- Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens.
- Inspect screen vents and openings to chimneys.
- Seal cracks and holes, including areas where utilities and pipes enter the home. Use caulk, steel wool, or a combination of both.
- Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly.
- Keep attics, basements, and crawl spaces ventilated and dry.
- Replace loose mortar & weather stripping around basement foundation and windows.
- Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains. They are a host and breeding site for pests.
- Inspect all items brought into your home, especially from big box stores.
Lastly, ensure after the mice are caught and removed, you thoroughly clean and disinfect all areas. Illness, disease, and viruses will remain long after that little mouse is gone. Never vacuum mouse droppings or infested materials. Always wear gloves and properly dispose of the cleanup in an outdoor garbage receptacle.
Destruction of food in a pantry.
Mice are looking for a winter home.
Please do not make it easy for them to be your new houseguests. Fall and early winter are prime time for mice and other rodents to look for a warm place to live and breed. Contact us for mice removal and prevention service in:
Albany County, Columbia County, Fulton County, Green County, Montgomery County, Rensselaer County, Saratoga County, Schenectady County, Warren County, Washington County.
