WHERE DO MICE HIDE NEWTOWN PA
Mice tend to establish indoor and outdoor hiding places where they can quickly access food while still being able to avoid detection. Below are the leading places mice and rats are known to hide.
INDOOR HIDING PLACES
Among the leading places mice and rats are known to hide indoors are kitchen appliances, pantries, walls, basements, and other secluded areas.
• APPLIANCES
Typically, rodents are drawn to appliances that give off heat. Additionally, kitchen appliances such as stoves and refrigerators also provide shelter as mice are able to hide behind and underneath them.
• CABINETS
Mice are always searching for something to eat and their keen sense of smell often lead them to kitchens which due to the food odors they hold. Once there, mice can easily get food stored in cabinets and pantries by ripping open bags and packages to access their contents. This is why it is important to store food items in airtight containers, so that rodents cannot access them and contaminate the food with their droppings and saliva.
• PANTRY
Although mice do not typically build nests on pantry shelves, they can be found there, particularly at night when they are searching for food. It is also important to know that mice can taint food products in your storage areas which can cause an array of illnesses, including Leptospirosis, Listeriosis, Rat-Bite Fever, and Hantavirsuses.
• UNDER SINKS
Another area where rats and mice can often hide is under the sink. Any water leaks under the sink will provide a water source for rats and mice, thereby increasing the likelihood of a rodent infestation.
• CLOSETS
Although closets are typically used daily, they are not frequently inspected for signs of rodents. As such, there is often ample clutter for mice to find a hiding place. Moreover, clothing can easily serve as a source of material that mice can utilize for nest-building.
• STORAGE BOXES
Rats and mice can easily make a home in a cardboard box by creating a hole in its side. They will place containers in less frequented areas, such as the attic, the basement, the back of a closet, or a corner of the garage that is rarely disturbed.
Before opening, cardboard boxes should be inspected for holes. Additionally, it is best to seal the top of your stored boxes rather than simply folding their flaps.
• FURNITURE
Mice are not likely to build a nest in furniture used day-to-day. However, mice can be attracted to furniture that has lain unused for a long period of time, such as in attics and basements, according to the National Mice and Mice Protection Agency (NMPV) - an organization set up to protect against mice infestations.
• ATTIC
Most out-of-the-way places can serve as a refuge for mice. However, a home's attic can provide the ideal place for mice. Attics not only offer shelter and seclusion, but also provide mice with warmth and various types of materials to use to build their nests.
• WALLS
Mice and rats often seek shelter inside walls, especially interior walls in close proximity to sources of heat, such as furnaces and water heaters. Rodents usually enter walls by finding a gap or by creating an opening by using their sharp teeth to chew through drywall.
Spaces between wall studs can be used to provide convenient locations for mice and rats to construct nests. These nests are often detected by the noises made by mice at night while the house is quiet.
Mice nesting in walls can be a fire hazard due to the inclination rodents have for chewing through the insulation found on household electrical wiring.
• INSULATION
Mice are skilled at locating spots that provide comfort, warmth, and seclusion. That is why rodents such as mice and rats frequently utilize a home's insulation. This material can easily be ripped into pieces and used to construct nests, or serve as a nest itself, providing an out-of-the-way spot that offers both warmth and a way to remain undetected.
OUTDOOR HIDING PLACES
In addition to living and hiding in homes, mice also utilize outdoor hiding spots. They can live in burrows, vegetation, rocks, trees, and other things that are hard to access while still providing access to food and water.
Other places outside the home that mice can also create hiding places in are barns, junk cars, unused boats, and other structures. The greater the outdoor clutter, the greater the likelihood that mice will hide in these areas.
MICE CONTROL & PREVENTION
Prevention is essential, as avoiding an infestation in the first place means you won't have to deal with a problem in the future. It is possible to prevent a mouse infestation by taking some basic preventative measures.
The most effective way to discourage mice from entering your home is to make it as unappealing as possible to rodents. This can be accomplished by sweeping up crumbs on a regular basis. Extra efforts should be paid to difficult-to-reach areas that are commonly neglected, such as under stoves and dishwashers.
Additionally, to help prevent mice from getting inside, declutter the yard, seal holes in the foundation, and eliminate any leaks that provide mice with a water source.
Do-It-Yourself methods for removing mice may produce temporary success. However, mice will likely continue to return if proper rodent control is not implemented.
Successful rodent control typically involves a series of steps, including trapping, poison baits, along with proper species identification.
Those who suspect a rodent problem should contact Newtown Termite & Pest Control. Our experienced pest control professionals know how to inspect a structure to determine the type and scope of the infestation involved. They will then execute the appropriate plan of action to resolve the specific rodent issue plaguing your Newtown area home or business while identifying entry points to help protect against future problems.
Schedule a FREE inspection today.
