Oh, the mouse. These critters are well-known for their unique ability to sneak in through the tiniest cracks and set up permanent residence inside your humble abode. While these little guys may be quite cute, they can lead to serious issues that can affect your home, your family, and possibly your well-being.
As a homeowner, it’s absolutely essential to have everything you need to protect your house from all kinds of infestations, including mice.
If you’re currently struggling with a mouse problem and need it dealt with, you can rely on the experienced team at Dustin Pest Control. Otherwise, let’s take a look at how you can protect your house from potential mouse infestations.
Types of Mice & Where You May Find Them
The first step to protecting your home and family from mouse infestations is knowing what type of mice you might be dealing with. California is the home for many types of rodents, but when it comes to mice, there are 2 species you should be aware of:
House Mice
House mice are among the most common and most intrusive types of rodents out there. You’ll find them anywhere close to homes and buildings where they can safely hide away from predators.
They’re known for their ability to fit through small openings into your house and have an incredible range of mobility that can help them climb into your ceilings, walk across wires and ropes, and make nests in hard-to-reach places.
House mice can also carry several different diseases, including salmonella, tape-worms, and ringworms.
You’ll likely find them in tiny, cramped areas where it’s warm enough for them to live. They’re attracted to dry foods left out in the open, like rice, crackers, and cereal.
Deer Mice
Deer mice are also common in California, but they might be more of a cause for concern.
These types of mice can carry a disease known as Hantavirus in their urine, saliva, and feces. Hantavirus can cause serious respiratory problems that may even lead to death, and there is no known cure for it.
Deer mice are also more attracted to bugs, fruits, and vegetables than dry food. You may be able to distinguish them from house mice by noticing their long tail or white bellies.
Deer mice are more common if there are large fields around. They can also infest forested and agricultural land.
Signs of Mice Infestation
There are a few different signs you can look for that may indicate a mouse infestation, like:
- Droppings
- Gnawing or bite marks
- Footprints
- Scratching noises
- Odors
- Nests
If you’ve noticed any of these signs, it’s time to call our team to get the problem resolved immediately.
Protecting Your Home
Now that we’ve looked at the types of mice you might encounter and their possible indicators, it’s time to look at the several ways you can protect your home from these irksome creatures.
While many of these strategies can help protect your home from future infestations, they may not help as much if you already have a few mice scurrying about your home as we speak. If you’re worried about the issues mice can cause for your home and family, you can call our team today, and we’ll be happy to help rid your home of your unwanted guests!
Sealing Entry Points
Entry points in your home could range from small cracks to unused pipes or even gutter systems. Some mice are so small, they can squeeze their way through holes about ¼ of an inch wide and find their way through the weather sealing of your front door or garage.
The best way to ensure your home is sealed is by inspecting the exterior of your home and possible entry points every couple of months. Be sure to also look for signs like mouse tracks or droppings around your home to see any areas where they might be gathering.
Storing Food & Water
Open food and water are very attractive to rodents like mice, and they’ll often stop at nothing to find their way to their next meal.
We recommend keeping dry foods sealed in plastic containers and in cabinets away from windows and the floor.
Keeping Your Property Clean
Simply keeping your home clean is a great way to deter mice from creating nests outside or inside your home. All you need is a little diligence and an eye for potential mouse attractants.
Outdoor Gardens & Shrubbery
When proofing your outdoors from mice, make sure you:
- Clean garbage and debris
- Rake up leaves and dead grass
- Keep your garbage bin sealed
- Keep bird feeders away from your home
- Remove any areas of standing water
- Keep your grass short
- Keep your trees and shrubs trimmed
Cleaning Your Indoors
Cleaning your indoor areas can also prevent mice from thinking your home is a 4-star resort. All you need to do is:
- Keep tables and counters free from crumbs
- Seal your food in hard-to-access containers
- Clear any clutter in your basement or attic
Traps & Bait
There are several different types of traps and bait that you can use to rid your house of mice, but we recommend speaking with our team before purchasing any of these products.
While some may prove helpful, others may also be a danger to your pets or children. In some cases, you could use live traps as a more humane method, but you’ll have to release the mouse about 500 feet from your home, where it’ll likely get picked up by a hawk, owl, or cat anyways.
You could also use repellents like peppermint sprays or essential oils to help deter mice from crawling their way into your home.
Cleaning Dead Mice
If you’ve trapped a mouse or found a body somewhere in your home, make sure you remove it immediately. You can do so by wearing protective gloves and throwing them in a plastic bag and into an outdoor garbage bin away from your home.
However, if there was one, there are likely others. If you’ve recently noticed a dead mouse around your home, please call our team today. We’ll get to work on cleaning your home from mice before they can cause any problems to you, your family, or your home.