If you were asked to name a pest that comes indoors for the winter, mice would probably be the first you’d mention. While they are not the creature pest to seek warmth when temperatures fall, they are particularly well known for taking up residence in people’s homes. 

But houses and businesses aren’t the only place rodents take refuge. Cars and trucks also offer protection from the elements, and surprisingly, they are also a ready food source! Mice and rats have long been known to feast on fabrics. But today’s eco-friendly materials, like soy-based insulation on wires, provide additional incentive to move into vehicles.

In many ways, sneaking into a car is easier than finding ways into your house. Vehicles sit unattended for long periods. This gives rodents plenty of time to search for entry points. Mice and rats can squeeze through holes as small as a dime or quarter, respectively. Gaps around steering columns, vents, pedal shafts, etc., are no problem for them to enter! 

Once inside, rodents often use insulation to build nests. They feast on wires, hoses and other components. Before long you’re experiencing electrical (or other) problems. We know this all too well, because it happened to us!

Regardless of how cute rodents may appear, they can cause an ugly scene. Mice and rats cause serious damage property and can compromise human health. They carry harmful bacteria and transmit diseases like salmonella and the deadly Hantavirus. Their presence often triggers allergies and other respiratory issues. 

We recommend you follow these prevention tips to mitigate the threat they pose:

Inside Your Car:

• Check under the hood for gnawed materials, droppings, nests, and frayed wires. Keep leaves and other debris out of the engine compartments.
• Inside the cabin, promptly wipe up spills, and remove paper, fast food bags and other trash. A little interior maintenance goes a long way toward discouraging entry.
• If you find evidence of rodents, consult a professional automobile mechanic to see if they’ve damaged any equipment.
• Consider partnering with a licensed pest control expert to ensure the infestation doesn’t spread from your car into your home.

Inside Your Home:

• Look for droppings. “Mouse poop” is the most common indicator of a rodent infestation. You’ll usually find waste where food is stored or prepared: kitchens, cabinets and pantries. You may also find it under sinks, along baseboards, inside chewed boxes, and atop wall beams.
• Mice are capable of producing more than 50 droppings a day, so prompt removal using protective gloves is key to keeping your family safe from health threats they pose.
• Next, look for gnaw marks. Rodents can chew through almost any type of material, including lead pipes! House mice and Norway rats are known to chew wires behind walls, increasing the risk for electrical fires.
• Also, look for tracks or rub marks along floors and baseboards. Rats tend to leave dirty grease trails as they follow trails through your house.
• Listen for strange noises, particularly at night. Soft ruffling sounds, faint scraping noises, and high pitched squeaks are good indicators that you’re sharing your house with mice!
• Rodents love dark, secluded areas where they can avoid detection. You may not see their nest, but you might see evidence of their building. House mice frequently use shredded paper, fabric, packing materials, and wall insulation. It’s a good time to call a licensed pest control professional when you see bits of these materials scattered around your house.
• If you actually see a rodent you’re almost certain to have an infestation. Mice breed rapidly. A female mouse can give birth to twelve offspring every three weeks…up to 35 per year. If you see one mouse, chances are good a hungry brood is hiding nearby!

Don’t mess around If you see any signs of rodent in your house, business, or vehicles. They are more than a nuisance; they can multiply fast and spread potentially fatal diseases. The best thing to do in the event of an infestation is to contact a professional to inspect the home and recommend a proper course of treatment.