They may look small and innocent but having mice in your home can be quite dangerous. As small as mice are, they can make themselves smaller, fitting through even the narrowest and space-conforming gaps and holes, finding their way inside where we least expect it. They pose serious health risks to you and your loved ones and can permanently damage your home.
Here in the Northeast, while we slowly make our way into winter, rodents will seek warmth and a comfortable means of escape from the elements. What can you do to help prevent your home from being their next target? At Seitz Bros., we’ve been offering professional pest control services since 1975, so we have a few ideas.
What Makes a Mouse Infestation So Dangerous?
First, let’s start with why a mouse infestation is so dangerous. These furry little critters are spreaders of worldwide bacteria and diseases. Both direct and indirect contact with mice, including their droppings and urine, can put humans and pets at risk.
Parasite Spreaders
Mice are also spreaders of parasites such as ticks and fleas. Both ticks and fleas are attracted to the furry backs of mice, where they hitch a ride inside your home and hop onto unsuspecting pets and humans.
Costly Damage to Your Home
Mice aren’t just disease-carrying rodents. They can cause costly damage to your home and business. How can these tiny creatures instill so much damage? Through gnawing, chewing, and nest building. Mice cause destruction in various ways, including:
- Making nests out of just about anything, including household items such as wood, cloth, paper, and books. They will chew away scraps and build their nests out of these items inside large electrical appliances where there is warmth and comfort. Other items mice gnaw away at include furniture, boxes, cardboard, pictures, paintings, and documents.
- Many car owners have found mouse nests in their engines due to the warmth the car provides. Mice will gnaw away at anything they see, including furniture, boxes, cardboard, pictures, paintings, and documents.
- Mice also chew on delicate wiring, causing electrical shortages and sparking fires.
- Think your insulation is safe? Think again. Mice like to tunnel inside walls and attics, making a home to gather materials for their nest. This is where one tends to hear gnawing and chewing inside the walls.
While there is no way to 100% foolproof your home against the sly sneakiness of a hungry mouse, there are proactive ways you can help prevent an infestation. Here are a few:
Seal Gaps and Holes
You can start by sealing gaps, holes, or open crevices on the inside and outside of your home. Mice can squeeze through even the smallest holes, including around doors, windows, utility holes, on your roof, and around piping. Fix all holes with caulking and steel wool.
Clean Up Outside Debris
Secondly, keep the debris around your home to a minimum. Rake up those leaves as soon as they fall. Rodents love to make homes out of leaf piles. And do not pile firewood up against your home as it too attracts mice.
Keep Trees and Shrubs Pruned
Keep those trees trimmed and shrubs pruned. Long branches and twigs offer a bridge for mice and other rodents to access to your house. Keeping them trimmed and pruned prevents them from using them as a gateway inside.
Keep Garbage Sealed
Keep garbage cans sealed with tight lids. If your cover does not stay on tight, use rubber cords to hold it in place.
Seal All Food Sources
Keep your kitchen shelves and cabinets clean from any attractive leftover crumbs, and store unsealed food in airtight food storage containers. This also pertains to pet food and birdseed.
Use of Essential Oils
Break out the essential oils. Smells like peppermint and clove oil tend to repel mice. While there is no scientific backing that this is true, many people swear by these methods. Soak cotton balls in scented oil and place them in areas that frequently attract mice.
Hire a Professional Pest Control Service
Rodent control exterminators are trained to trap, bait and eliminate mice safely and properly. They are also trained to properly use sanitation equipment, including respirators and other protective gear. Mice can pose biological hazards, so it’s important to have the knowledge and expertise needed when working with mice or any rodents.
Get Expert Pest Control from the Professional Exterminators at Seitz Bros.
Keep your home safe with help from the rodent control experts at Seitz Bros. With over 40 years of experience, we have the expertise to keep your home and family safe. We offer a choice of Home Protection Plans with monthly, quarterly, or more frequent service if needed. These plans provide full coverage, including rodent control of rats, mice, and other pests throughout the year, and include unlimited re-visits by our expert exterminators. We also provide proactive prevention by sealing your home against future infestations.
For ultimate pest control, contact us here or at 570-225-0034 and receive your free quote now.
