How do Mice get Inside?
Even small openings can look like a double-wide garage door to mice. Gaps in basement walls and beside doorways, tiny holes around piping, damaged roofs, air vents, and drain pipes are just a few places your structure can be compromised.
Mice are capable of scaling 6.5-foot high walls, squeeze through holes the size of a dime, and can jump as high as ten inches! Once inside, they’ll look for a warm, isolated spot close to a food sources, such as behind kitchen appliances or inside the walls. As mentioned before, they often use paper to build nests behind kitchen appliances, in cavity walls, under floorboards, near hot water tanks, and in the attic. Nighttime is mealtime; when you’re asleep they will raid cabinets and shelves for whatever is available, especially snacks like nuts, seeds, cereals, chocolates, and peanut butter.
Does One Mouse Mean an Infestation?
In our opinion, the answer is a resounding YES! As social creatures, mice tend to live in colonies. One female mouse births from five to 10 litters a year. Each litter consists of three to 14 pups. So you see it doesn’t take long for their numbers to multiply. Even if only one female moved in, and she moves outside in the spring, she could have had over 50 offspring inside your home or business in just a few months! That’s we say if you spot one, more are waiting in the wings…and our experience has borne this out.
Do Rodent Infestations Present Health and Safety Risks?
Again, the answer is “yes.” In addition to causing damage to your property (gnawing and clawing), and eating your food, they’re a health and safety hazard. They can carry diseases like hantavirus and salmonella, which pose significant health risks. Their destructive habits can become more than an unsightly nuisance; their gnawing and clawing can result in serious property damage and even create fire hazards if they attack electrical wiring.
How Can I Guard Against a Rodent Infestation?
Preventative measures are crucial in controlling these pests. Regular property inspections can reveal problem areas before trouble begins. Take a close look at the outside of your building and seal cracks or openings you find. Inside, keep kitchen work surfaces and cabinets clear of easy to reach food sources, and promptly dispose of garbage in a proper manner. Examine hidden spaces indoors to see if any signs have developed.
When Should I Call an Exterminator?
Understanding the signs and taking proactive steps are crucial to maintaining safety and health in your home or business. If you notice signs of persistent infestation, or if the situation seems beyond your control, call us at (405) 679-8729 as soon as possible. We’re always eager and able to provide effective rodent…and other pest…control needs!
