Mice can cause costly damage to attics and basements, contaminate kitchens with droppings, and trigger allergies and asthma. Prevent mice infestations by storing garbage and firewood away from buildings, removing clutter, and sealing entry points.
A pest control company like Mice Removal Service Texas will perform thorough inspections and specialized treatments beyond simple traps and baits. These services include identifying and sealing entry points and cleaning and insulation work in crawl spaces.
Mice are small rodents that can cause serious problems in homes, offices and commercial buildings. They can spread diseases and damage food, merchandise and equipment in a building. They also leave feces, urine, and saliva throughout the area. Taking measures to prevent mice infestations can save property owners time and money in the long run.
Mice enter a house or business through gaps and cracks around doors, windows, walls and foundations. They can squeeze through a space as small as a pencil width. Caulking and sealing these entry points can help prevent mice infestations.
Signs of a mouse infestation may include gnaw marks on food packaging, furniture legs and wires, droppings, squeaks or rustling in the walls at night, and a musty urine odor. Infestations usually start in the kitchen, although they can grow to be more widespread if not controlled.
Some people may notice that their pets behave differently when mice are around. They may seem skittish or act aggressively. Other signs of mice infestations are scurrying noises in the wall, gnawed wood or drywall, and holes under or behind appliances.
A professional exterminator can inspect a home or business to determine if it is vulnerable to mice infestations. If necessary, a technician can seal gaps and cracks and set traps to prevent the rodents from entering a structure.
Mice can also be prevented by cleaning up outside areas, keeping debris and firewood away from a house or commercial building, removing clutter and trash, and regularly sanitizing garbage cans. These preventative measures can reduce the likelihood of a mice infestation and keep the rodents from spreading diseases and damaging materials inside a building.
If a mouse problem is discovered, it’s important to act quickly. Mice reproduce rapidly, and an infestation can become overwhelming if not addressed quickly. Mice are capable of chewing through drywall and creating electrical fire hazards in attics and crawl spaces. They can even infest entire homes and businesses, causing massive damage and costly repairs. For more information about preventative measures against mice, contact a pest control company in New York City, such as Assured Environments.
Getting Rid of an Infestation
Mice are a problem year-round, but they are especially problematic in the fall and winter. They seek food, water, and shelter as temperatures drop, and they can quickly turn a small infestation into a major pest problem that’s difficult to get rid of. Mice are also carriers of viruses and bacteria, including salmonella and hantavirus.
The first sign of mice is droppings, which they leave behind wherever they hang out. Look for them on the backs of drawers, in pantries and cabinets, under sinks, in basements and attics, in wall voids, and underneath heating and cooling units. You may also hear scurrying sounds, scratching noises, and squeaking at night.
Other signs of a mouse problem include damage to items, like furniture or carpeting, and gnawed edges on wood or other materials. You may also notice a musty smell. Mice’s sharp incisors cause them to chew everything they can reach, including plastic bags, wood, and wires. If you find gnawed edges on your pipes, shut off the water to those areas and seal them with caulk or metal flashing.
Mice can squeeze through cracks as narrow as 1/4 inch, so regular inspections and sealing are important. Remove debris from the yard and garage and keep weeds and other plants at bay to minimize hiding places for mice. Install weather stripping around doors and windows, and remember to close and secure outdoor garbage and pet food.
If you’re worried your home isn’t sufficiently protected, a Terminix pest control specialist can help. They’ll inspect your home and recommend a treatment plan that leverages field-tested integrated pest management solutions.
Post-Infestation Cleaning
When faced with the mess of a rodent infestation, it may be tempting to use a vacuum cleaner or broom to quickly make the droppings and contaminated materials disappear. However, these methods are inefficient for cleaning a full-blown rodent infestation and cannot guarantee that all toxins have been eliminated from surfaces and areas where mice might have hidden. Moreover, they only remove visible signs of a rodent infestation and do not eliminate the invisible pheromone trails that mice leave behind for each other.
Rodents carry a variety of diseases and parasites that can be transmitted to humans via contact, inhalation or consumption. The most dangerous of these pathogens is Hantavirus, which can be spread through contaminated droppings or urine. Symptoms of Hantavirus infection include coughing, fatigue, fever and muscle aches.
While it is possible to clean up a mouse infestation on your own, proper preparation and safety precautions are essential. Having the right equipment, gloves, mask, and garbage bags will help ensure that you avoid exposure to harmful bacteria and viruses during cleanup.
A Vacuum Cleaner with a HEPA Filter – Have a vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter on hand for sweeping up larger debris, droppings and nesting materials. Using a HEPA-filter will ensure that the particles of these substances are trapped and not released back into the environment.
Disinfectants – Have disinfectants on hand that are specifically formulated to kill the bacteria and viruses associated with mice infestations. This will include household cleaners like bleach, hydrogen peroxide and quaternary ammonium compounds. Paper Towels & Cloths – Have disposable cloths and paper towels on hand for wiping down surfaces and for cleaning up spills. Always discard the used cloths to prevent cross-contamination.
Garbage Bags – Have sturdy, sealable garbage bags on hand for collecting and disposing of mice droppings, contaminated materials and cleaning waste. Having these bags on hand will keep the odors and contaminants from spreading throughout your home during disposal.
Finally, once the area has been thoroughly cleaned, it is important to close any gaps or cracks that mice could have used as entry points. Depending on the severity of the problem, this might involve caulking and other types of sealing. This will also help to prevent further infestations, as mice can fit into holes the size of a dime or smaller.
Prevention
Mice can carry bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that pose a health risk to humans. In addition, their droppings can contaminate surfaces and trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Keeping an eye out for signs of mice can help prevent a serious infestation before it becomes uncontrollable.
Mice often leave tracks and smudges that appear as greasy rub marks along walls or baseboards. They may also create nests from shredded material like paper, fabric, or insulation. A strong, musky odor is another clear indication of an infestation. If you notice urine-saturated areas, clean them immediately to reduce the chance of contaminating other surfaces.
A professional pest control service can provide you with preventive solutions and cleanup services that will keep mice at bay. The key to prevention is to eliminate the factors that attract rodents, such as food sources and access points. Regular inspections can ensure that all cracks, crevices, and holes larger than the size of a pencil are properly sealed.
During the inspection process, a pest control technician will thoroughly check all areas of your home for signs of mice activity. In addition, he or she will inspect the outside of your house for potential entry points. Mice can squeeze through gaps as small as a half-inch, so preventing their entry is essential.
After the initial inspection, a professional will recommend a treatment plan that is appropriate for your property. The cost of the treatment will depend on a variety of factors, including the size and complexity of your home and whether additional structures need to be treated.
Preventative measures include exclusion, a method that limits the likelihood of an infestation by sealing access points where mice can enter your home. In addition, storing food in airtight containers and promptly cleaning up spills and crumbs will minimize the attractiveness of your home to mice.
It is also important to regularly clean your house, especially areas prone to crumbs or spills. This includes sweeping and vacuuming floors, wiping down surfaces, and minimizing clutter. You should also consider removing overgrown vegetation around your home to remove places where mice can hide. Finally, always use garbage bags that are strong enough to contain mouse droppings and contaminated materials.