Mice are sneaky and elusive. They’re typically nocturnal, so you may not see them at all. However, there are other signs that you may have mice in your home. Keep in mind that if you spot one mouse there are likely others.
Nests and Droppings
Mice make round nests out of items they find in your home. They only leave their nest to search for food. If you find a nest, it’s time to set some traps.
Finding mouse droppings is another sign. To determine if the droppings are recent or old, remove the droppings and check back over the next few days to see if there are fresh ones. Mice droppings cause respiratory diseases, so be sure to wear protective gear when removing them.
Less Obvious Signs
- Footprints or tracks in dusty or dirty areas: Mice have four toes, nails and a pad, kind of like dog tracks. Several mouse tracks will fit inside the dimensions of a penny.
- Visible nests or burrows: Nests consist of fibrous material like paper, clothing and stuffing. It’s probably in the shape of a small, round ball.
- Chewed pieces of plastic, paper, wood, or food: Mice are using the materials to make their nests and bringing the food back to their homes. The materials and food will have small jagged marking from their incisors.
- Noises coming from walls or attics such as scurrying, gnawing, or scratching: Mice are trying to stay out of sight while they’re scavenging or the newcomers are making a nest. You’ll be able to hear them in attics, basements and inside walls.
- Unpleasant smells from feces, urine, or dead mice: Mice use their scent to communicate with other mice. This odor has a distinct smell.
Mice are one of the most common types of pests, especially in acclimate weather during the colder months when they move indoors. Mice contaminate food, spread disease and damage property. Because of their small size, they can easily squeeze through the tiniest of openings, even as small as a pencil.
Prevention
Make sure your home is properly sealed. Keep food and crumbs cleaned, and don’t forget pet food needs to be properly stored too. Also, be sure to keep the lids on trash cans shut.
- Thoroughly inspect your foundation walls. Mice are small and can squeeze through very small holes. If you see possible openings, seal them with a caulking gun.
- Check your roofline, roof, and eaves for holes. Trim tree limbs, and if you have poles nearby with wires that run into your home, install exclusion spikes.
- Pay special attention to doors and windows. Holes or openings should be easy to see. If you find them, seal them!
Extermination
Common household do-it-yourself extermination are baits and traps. The placement of traps is important. If you know you have mice, but haven’t caught one in a trap, move the trap. Poisons are not recommended if you have children or pets. Your pets can become poisoned by consuming the bait, or by eating a mouse that has already ingested the bait.
If you’re not able to take care of a mouse infestation on your own, exterminator services are probably more affordable than you realize. Not only will a reputable company solve your rodent problem, but they can advise or correct entry and exit points in your home.
