While Mickey and Minnie Mouse are fun, finding a mouse in your house is not so much! Mice can fit through holes and cracks as small as a dime and enter houses searching for food, water, and shelter. Most homeowners find signs of mice in their homes before they see the actual mouse. If you find any of the following, it’s time to investigate further:
Droppings. One of the first signs people notice is piles of mouse droppings in cabinets, closets, attics, air vents, or other dark spaces. Mouse droppings are small black or brown pellets (approximately ¼ inches long) that resemble grains of rice. Mice can produce 50-75 droppings daily so that the piles can grow rapidly.
Gnawing. Mice love to chew and will likely leave their mark in your home. Mice often gnaw on cardboard boxes in the pantry, kitchen cabinets, and doors; they can even gnaw through wires, upholstery, and insulation. In addition to the gnaw marks, you may also see small piles of shavings or debris on the ground.
Scratching Sounds. When the house is quiet, you have the best chance of hearing a mouse scurrying around. You may also hear gnawing, scratching, or even a squeak! If you hear these classic mouse sounds, it’s time to take action to remove the mouse from your home.
Nests. When mice take up residence in your home, they may build nests or burrows. Nests are built out of soft materials like wood chips, insulation, or carpet and have a hole for the mice to enter. They are usually found in dark places in the home.
Odors. Mice have a strong, musty smell that is very distinctive, although they may also smell like ammonia or decay. Mice urine and feces left in the house will also smell and can tip you off to where mice live in your home.
Footprints and Rub Marks. Mice have four toes on their front legs and five on their back legs, making their tracks easy to identify. As they make their way around your house, mice are likely to rub against the baseboards and walls and can leave grease marks in their wake.
Mice can bring ticks, fleas, and other insects into your home and can spread several types of diseases to humans. As such, it’s important to take care of a mouse infestation immediately and take precautions to protect your home in the future. Home Pro Pest Control has extensive experience controlling mice and other rodents and can create a customized plan to keep your home mouse-free. To learn more, contact us at (757) 499-1078 or online.