Whether you have just recently started hearing a scurrying in the ceiling, or you have been seeing evidence of mouse droppings for quite some time, it’s important to educate yourself on what it looks like to have mice in your house. Mice are prone to cause extensive damage if left unattended, not to mention make a mess and pose a health risk, so taking proper action towards eradicating the mice in your North York home is important for the
wellbeing of both you and your house.
What do I need to know about mice?
While it is commonly accepted that mice show up in dirty houses or hang out around garbage cans and dumpsters, mice aren’t necessarily that picky. These are places where mice are more typically found because those areas meet all their needs: there is food, they can find warmth or shelter to hide in, and there is likely access to water nearby. If all these needs can be met in the comfort of your home, they won’t mind living there either. Given the opportunity, mice typically invade your house for a few different reasons:
If the mouse has a way in, it
certainly won’t turn down the invitation! One important thing to know about
mice is that they can squeeze in through impressively tight spaces. Cracks between floor boards, cracks in
foundation, holes under the house or through the roof, through the eaves and
gutters of your house, or even through the plumbing are all potential entry points
for mice.
They have either smelled food
and want to come get it, or they are in search of food and have ended up in
your house. When it comes to feeding a mouse, anything goes – crumbs, the food
that got lost under the refrigerator or couch, food typically left on the
counter such as fruit, and even food inside packages in your cupboard including
grains, popcorn, and nuts. If the mouse
has access, chances are he’ll eat it – and then stay and wait for more.
Just like humans, mice need water,
and they will follow the source! Standing water in a house, garage or basement
is a big drawing point for mice, and it is not unusual to find them hanging
around pipes or under sinks, where drops of water are available to fill their
needs.
How do I know if I have mice in my house?
Now that you know a bit more about mice, how they enter your house, and where they like to live, it is important to become aware of the evidence they leave that indicates they have paid you a visit. Seeing evidence is the first clue that you may need to have someone in to help you with mouse control in your North York home. Here is what you can look for:
If you see mouse droppings in the cupboard, underneath
furniture and appliances, or in the attic, it’s a pretty clear indication that there
are mice living in your home. Mice don’t typically leave their droppings in
plain view, so you may have to search a little, checking inside your cabinets or
moving the refrigerator to confirm what you are looking for.
When you are lying in bed at night and hear running
sounds in the ceiling, or are sitting in the lounge room and can make out a
scurrying in the floorboards under your feet, chances are its mice having the
time of their life. The sound of mice running
around is typically quiet and skittish, as compared to other rodents which are
much louder.
Mice will chew through wrappers and food packaging to get
to the food they want, so it is not uncommon to open your cupboard and find rice
or grain bags with holes in them, wrappers from food left in unusual places, or
food that looks like it has been nibbled on. These are all remains that a mouse will leave after feasting on the food
in your cupboards.
What do I do about mice in my house?
Armed with a better understanding of mouse
behaviour and knowing what evidence to look for, it is important to understand what your options are for eliminating mice from your home.
Do it Yourself
There are several at-home
methodsyou can try yourself: classic snap traps, glue traps, and even devices that you
plug into the wall that emit a sound that only mice can hear and is meant to
repel them. Depending on the severity of your issue, these may or may not be
effective.
Call
in the Professionals
Eliminating a mouse infestation by yourself is not always the best
solution, because it doesn’t allow you to get to the root of the problem – you
are killing some of the mice, but not finding out where they come from so that
you can eliminate future problems. To
tackle the issue from the bottom up, it is time to contact the professionals to
have a mice exterminationconsultation.
How do I get rid of mice in my house?
Committing to fixing your mouse problem is more than just putting out mouse traps. But it can also be stressful and challenging to get the mice under control in your North York home. This is where Power Pest comes in. Now that you know you need to call in the professionals, it’s important to make it someone who can not only get the job
done, but cares about the work they are doing and cares about you as a customer. Here at Power Pest, we tailor an action plan for each client, their home, and their specific problem – no one-size-fits-all solutions here! In addition, we are committed to doing it in a way that is most convenient for you, safe for your pets and family, and considerate of the environment.
Don’t put up with mice droppings, food package remnants, or sleepless nights any longer: call Power Pest and we will put your case to rest. From there you can sleep better knowing there’s nothing running around in your celling and that you won’t open the cupboard to
half empty packages in the morning.
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