There is no doubt that mice are cute. You might think it’s hospitable to share a tiny piece of your home with one during the winter, but after reading this, your thoughts on the matter will certainly change. While mice look soft and innocent, there are many reasons why you don’t want them in your home.
Signs
Other than spotting the tiny rodent scurrying across your kitchen floor, there are a few signs that can help you determine if you have mice living in your home. Mice love to build their nests in snug, dark, and quiet areas, which are often found in the kitchen, the garage, and the attic. They will generally come out to eat when no one is around, but they will always leave their traces behind.
Food in the kitchen that isn’t in the fridge or in hard containers will be easy pickings for the sharp-toothed pests, who will easily chew through cardboard and plastic bags. On their nightly commute from their nest to their food source, you will likely hear them scurrying behind walls or under floors. They might leave a few gifts behind for you, some rice sized droppings, which can be found littered in the corners of the room.
Health Risks and Dangers
One or two mice in the house can’t hurt… right? This common misconception can, and usually will, turn into a serious problem. A mouse can give birth up to ten times per year, with up to six babies per litter. A single mouse can turn into 60 quite rapidly. Consider that one mouse can leave approximately 9000 droppings behind in a year.
Health Risks
Since they are known to carry bacteria, viruses, parasites, and diseases, mouse droppings and urine can easily find their way into your food and on your dishes. Even inhaling dust that has been contaminated with mouse excrement can be dangerous to your health. A few of the diseases rats carry include:
- Leptospirosis
- Salmonellosis
- Swine dysentery
- Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis
Dangers
Mice have surprisingly strong teeth and their relentless chewing can be devastating for your home and your family. Being able to chew through doors and floorboards gives them an all-access pass to the dangers of pipes and electrical wires. Unsurprisingly, they gnaw through those as well, causing leaky pipes, and sparking fires.
Prevention
Prevention is key to avoid a sneaky mouse from finding its way into your home. This means keeping the outside of your home completely sealed, and since mice can fit through a hole the size of a dime, it is important to caulk up any cracks as well. To prevent them from being attracted to the smells inside, be sure to keep your food in the fridge or stored in hard containers.
Getting Rid of Your Mouse Problem
If you’ve noticed mice have found their way in, ridding your home of these unpredictably dangerous little rodents can be a complicated task. The scare easily and retreat quickly to their nests. Get in touch with the reputable and experienced specialists at Raider Wildlife, who will safely remove the pests from your home and make it safe again.
