How Do Mice Keep Getting Into My Huntsville, AL Home?
February 14, 2022
A furry interloper has infiltrated your home, dining on your leftovers and spreading diseases to your family members. Mice! They may be cute, but they are one of the most common invading pests. Mice may be elusive little rodents, but they typically leave signs of their presence in your Huntsville home.
Common Mouse Attractants
Messy homes invite the most rodents. They love to munch on your leftovers, and they love some neglected, old garbage. Therefore, make sure to conceal your leftovers and take your trash out regularly. That being said, anyone can be the victim of a mice infestation. Any entry points wider than a pencil is perfectly suitable for a mouse to scurry its way through. Though, once they have invaded your home, the signs of their presence can be subtle until mice descendants have besieged your family.
Signs Of A Mouse Problem In Your Huntsville Home
Mice are elusive little pests. If you have mice in your home, you will likely see evidence of their presence rather than a mouse itself.
- Small droppings are a sure sign of a mice infestation. You can find them on food containers, in corners, or in cupboards. The droppings are almost always in inconspicuous areas of your home.
- Unsurprisingly, these droppings may accompany the smell of urine. The smell is, of course, more pungent with a large infestation.
- You will likely find nests scattered around your house as well. Mice create nests out of torn-up paper, insulation, or fabric.
- Bite marks on packages are another clear sign of a mice infestation.
- Various noises are also indicators. You may hear a squeaking sound in the night or the sound of little legs scurrying across your attic. Similar to the previous bullet point, You may hear gnawing sounds.
- Small holes the size of a dime could also appear alongside walls and floors. These holes could facilitate entry into your home.
Though mice can cause damage to your home, this may be the least of your worries when it comes to a rodent problem. Rodents also spread diseases that could pose long-term risks to your health, the health of your pets, and the health of your family members.
Health Hazards Associated With Mice
In addition to the visible signs of a mouse infestation, rodents also present health risks. According to the CDC, rodents can spread many different illnesses, including…
- Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
- Lassa Fever
- Leptospirosis
- Lymphocytic Chorio-Meningitis
- Omsk Hemorrhagic Fever
- Salmonellosis
- South American Arenaviruses
- Tularemia
Tips For Keeping Mice Out Of Your Huntsville Home
To keep mice and other pests away, it's vital to be proactive. Here are some preventative measures to keep mice out of your home:
- To prevent the consequences of a mice infestation, seal holes outside the home. Steel wool is useful in covering potential entry points.
- Eliminate potential nesting havens by removing leaf piles and deep mulch.
- Regularly take out the trash.
- Maintain a clean home, especially the kitchen.
- Promptly clean your pets' bowls after they finish eating, and keep your pet's food in metal containers.
- Remove animal waste from your yard regularly.
- Store your food in airtight containers and regularly clean the countertops to strip the mice of their food source.
- Remove food and water sources near your home.
- If you have a bird feeder, do not leave bird food on the ground.
- Remove any food that may be in and around your yard.
Though you may do everything in your power to keep your home safe from mice, you still may find yourself dealing with a rodent problem.
DIY Methods For Eliminating A Mouse Problem
If you spot signs of an infestation in your home, you will likely begin by trying do-it-yourself methods for mouse removal. However, keep in mind that eliminating a mouse infestation on your own is a tricky endeavor. You can use poison, but this is inadvisable without professional assistance. Traps work well for smaller infestations. Attach some bacon, peanut butter, or chocolate to the trap, and wait for the mice to come.
Some less costly methods involve using a concentrated chili pepper solution. This, while nonpoisonous, can deter mice from setting up camp in your home. It does not kill them but instead acts as a natural repellent.
Many homeowners also invest in a cat. Cat's are the innate enemies of rodents. If your house cat fails to kill them all, it will surely impede the growth of an infestation. However, you may find rodent carnage in unexpected places!.
Professional Mouse Control With Custom Pest Control
These are all useful tips to mitigate the growth of an infestation. However, they only aid in eliminating a large infestation. If your mice problem has become overwhelming, seek professional help.
With larger infestations, traps are ineffective. Mice will eventually learn to avoid the traps, rendering them useless. Cats can only kill so many mice, and any homemade solution will do little for a larger infestation. If your rodent infestation is too large to handle, Call Custom Pest Control. Let our experienced team of pest professionals step in to get the job done right. Reach out to us today to learn more about our year-round rodent control options!