Many homeowners have unfortunately had to deal with house mice because they are one of the most common nuisance pests in the United States. Florida’s weather allows for house mice to be very active throughout the entire year. Believe it or not, house mice are very clean animals. They will groom themselves many times a day but can contaminate our food with their urine, feces and hair.
House Mouse Facts; Diet & Behavior
House mice like all types of food but prefer grain and seeds. They will go for high fat, protein and sugar foods even when grains and seeds are available. Preferable foods include chocolate, bacon, butter, and nutmeats. House mice are able to survive with little water but will drink it when it’s available. They get all the water they need from their food. They start mating when they are as young as six weeks-old. House mice reproduce extremely quickly and can have eight litters within a year. They will find their way inside looking for shelter and food in the fall and winter months.
How Many Mice is Considered an Infestation?
If you happen to see mice, particularly during the daylight hours, it’s a strong indication you have them in your home as mice are nocturnal. You may notice footprints or smudges along well traveled routes from the dirt and oil rubbing off their bodies and tails. House mice will produce a lot of droppings and you’ll likely find them along the walls, in cupboards and under sinks. They are as small as a grain of rice and brown to black in color. Damage from gnawing and chewing is another sign. Mice teeth continue to grow all the time and they gnaw on wood, plastic, cables and hard material to file their teeth down. You might discover nests close to food sources. They will use shredded material like newspaper or fabric to build them. House mice can be found behind fridges, cabinets, storage boxes or voids in the wall. You may hear noises at night when they’re more active like scratching in the walls or the ceiling if they’re in the attic. You might also hear squeaking noises. When house mice are present, there is an ammonia-like smell, a very strong urine smell or a musky odor and will be more noticeable in smaller enclosed areas. In short, if you see any of the above signs, you are likely dealing with a house mouse infestation!
Prevention & Control
Do an inspection of your home to look for any spots where mice could find a way in. Make sure doors close tightly and look for holes in the baseboards. Any holes or openings as small as the size of a quarter will need to be sealed off with steel wool, followed by cement or a sealant. To prevent mice from coming into your home you should seal food containers. Methods to eliminate house mice from your home include poison baits which is very effective, mousetraps baited with chocolate or peanut butter and ultrasonic devices. Ultrasonic devices are safe for us but very unpleasant for mice. The waves cause pain and a loss of appetite. This prevents them for going on with their normal activities and will force them to go elsewhere.
House Mice Prevention & Control
If you see these nocturnal pests during the day, then you may be dealing with a heavy house mice infestation. It’s imperative to call professionals to deal with the problem. Contact Southeast Pest Control today!