With its capacity to wreak havoc in residences and businesses across Pennsylvania, the common house mouse is one of the most feared pests in the region.
These rodents are quite small, and it is possible for them to be present in a building for weeks or even months before people become aware of them. By that time, the population of rodents has grown so large that the issue is impossible to miss. Rodent droppings are everywhere, food is being contaminated and the building is beginning to show obvious signs of damage.
What can a property owner do when they notice that common house mice seem to be where they shouldn't? Too many of them decide to take a trip to the local hardware store to pick up a package of mouse traps.
This seems like a common-sense solution, but it rarely is effective. This is because mice tend to be wary of new things that are placed in their environment. Unless that trap is placed with strategic precision and set up with an irresistible bait, common house mice will stay away in droves.
Plus, no mouse trap can possibly take care of the conditions that made the infestation possible in the first place. These conditions may include ill-fitting doors and windows, holes and cracks in the building's exterior, careless food storage practices and tree limbs that touch the roof or exterior walls.
In order to truly end an infestation and protect the property against possible future infestations, it is essential to have a pest management company address the problem. They have the knowledge and equipment that can put a swift end to any infestation.
WHAT DO HOUSE MICE LOOK LIKE?
Common house mice tend to be most active at night. Consequently, they have small eyes and not particularly good eyesight. To make up for this, the ears are oversized, and the house mouse's sense of hearing is especially keen. A full-grown adult is a total of approximately seven inches long with the tail making up three to four inches of this length. One-half of an ounce is a common weight for an adult, and most of these animals are covered with brown or gray fur.
WHAT DO HOUSE MICE EAT?
Seeds and cereal grains appear to be the preferred foods of the common house mouse, but these rodents will eat many other items when they are available. Their sense of hearing, smell and taste are particularly well-developed so that the animals can find things that are suitable to eat absolutely anywhere. The tiny common house mouse must eat frequently, and they may climb to great heights to find stored food items.
Any type of pet food is attractive to common house mice as are chocolate, meat, bread and other baked goods, peanut butter, cheese and insects.
WHERE DO HOUSE MICE LIVE?
Common house mice can adapt to survive virtually anywhere on the planet. As their name suggests, they may be most frequently found in the places where people live and work, but there are some members of the species that never come indoors.
When house mice do build an outdoor nest, these are most likely to be found in a pile of vegetation or rocks. A woodpile makes a good nesting choice, and if a house mouse is living in an urban area, it could burrow beneath a bush or within a planter. It is not unusual for nests to be built quite close to sheds, garages, barns and other outbuildings. Machinery and equipment that is kept outdoors or disused vehicles are other good nesting alternatives.
Indoor house mouse nests may be located in false ceilings, wall voids or the empty space beneath a kitchen appliance. A drawer, cupboard or closet makes a good hiding spot as well. Any rooms that are cluttered may be particularly attractive, so getting rid of clutter is a great way to make rooms look less appealing to rodents. Bear in mind that rodents like places that are dark, warm and undisturbed, so they can be found almost anywhere that has these characteristics.
In fact, finding rodent nests can be tricky. This is just one more reason why it makes sense to ask an exterminator to find and remove all nests.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY HOUSE MICE
Common house mice do not necessarily mean to cause damage. They are simply following through with their instincts for food and shelter. Accordingly, they will shred all sorts of fabrics, textiles, paper goods and documents as they acquire material to place in their nest. Even insulation is not immune, as common house mice frequently shred it and use for nesting.
These rodents also chew on pretty nearly everything in their vicinity. This can include the siding, roof tiles, sheetrock and wooden framing of the building as well as furniture, equipment and technology. The wiring found in machinery and appliances frequently is gnawed through by house mice, causing malfunctions and even fires.
Even the landscaping around the building may be subject to significant damage as the house mouse population devours bark from trees and the seeds that are meant to sprout into plants or grass.
ARE HOUSE MICE AGGRESSIVE?
Males of the species may be aggressive toward each other, but this behavior rarely is exhibited toward people. The exception is most likely to occur when a person accidentally corners or threatens a house mouse. In this situation, the mouse will defend itself with teeth and claws, which commonly results in injury to the person.
DO HOUSE MICE CARRY DISEASE?
Common house mice are able to spread diseases to people through a variety of means. Simply being in the same building as the feces and urine left behind by the species is enough to spread illnesses such as lymphocytic choriomeningitis, salmonella and Hantavirus. As the waste products dry where they are dropped, they turn into dust and contaminate the indoor air. This is a common way for Hantavirus to be transmitted. Salmonella may spread through contamination of food or food preparation surfaces.
Because they are infested with parasites, common house mice may spread illnesses such as Colorado tick fever and Lyme disease. Rat-bite fever may be contracted from a bite or through physical contact with a dead rodent. This illness also may be deposited in food and beverages that people ingest.
HOW TO DETECT HOUSE MICE
Signs of a house mouse problem include:
These rodents give away their presence with these clues:
• Visual sightings of living and dead mice • Dusty surfaces show evidence of tiny footprints • Mouse droppings may be found on a variety of surfaces • Scratching noises may be heard above false ceilings or in floorboards • Walls may show grease marks from rodent fur
HOW TO PREVENT HOUSE MICE
Use the following tips to help prevent a house mouse infestation:
• Eliminate indoor and outdoor clutter • Apply caulk and steel wool to openings in the building's exterior • Trim foliage so that it cannot touch buildings • Ensure that weather stripping and mortar are in good repair • Install door sweeps • Fix ventilation issues in crawl spaces, attics and basements
HOW TO TREAT FOR RODENTS
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 home or business while identifying entry points to help protect against future problems.
