There are many ways you may discover a mouse infestation in your home. You might lay down to go to sleep and hear bumping and scraping sounds inside your bedroom wall. You might go up into the attic to get a stored box and see black feces scattered about on your insulation. You might walk into your kitchen and notice a little mouse run along the baseboard and disappear under the overhang of a cabinet. When you discover a mouse infestation in your Allen home—and it is likely that you will at some point—it is important that you know what you should do.
Step One: Do Something
This might seem like a strange start to our list of steps, but many people don't do anything when they discover signs of a mouse infestation. There are many reasons for inaction. Here are a few of them:
- You might find droppings and think that those droppings aren't fresh.
- You might notice a hole but not know when or how that hole was created.
- You might notice undeniable signs of an infestation and put it on your long list of things to deal with, rather than dealing with it immediately.
- You might think your mouse problem will go away on its own.
- You might not think mice are a big deal.
When you see signs of a mouse infestation, you should take immediate action. Mice rarely go away on their own and they can present a considerable threat to your health and property.
What problems do mice cause?
Here are a few examples:
- They chew holes into your home and create an avenue for rainwater to damage wood and cause mold issues.
- They chew on stored items, foam insulation, baseboards, sheetrock, packaged food items, and much more.
- They chew on wires inside your walls and present a fire hazard.
- They urinate and defecate everywhere they explore.
- They spread ticks, fleas, and other ectoparasites.
- They reproduce quickly and grow in threat.
Step Two: Protect Yourself
The disease threat mice present is real. You should take steps to protect your food from contamination. This will also reduce food options for mice and make it more difficult for those mice to reproduce.
- Put packaged food in sealed glass or plastic containers.
- Put fruit in your refrigerator, rather than on the kitchen island, counter, or table.
- Put dishes in a sink full of soapy water until you're ready to wash them.
- Vacuum regularly.
Step Three: Make Your Home Less Inviting
Mice are timid creatures. If your home is clean, orderly, and spacious, these little critters will not want to explore your common areas. This can reduce the threat of mice contaminating surfaces, dishes, and silverware. Remove clutter as much as possible.
Step Four: Manage Your Trash
You would be amazed at how adept a mouse is at finding a way into your kitchen trash. Make sure your trash receptacle has a cover. Keep your receptacle clean to reduce smells that attract mice, and remove your trash at least once a week—sooner if you notice a scent.
Step Five: Capture The Mice
This is a difficult step to accomplish because mice don't make it easy for you to catch them, and there are many ways traps can be ineffective. What's worse is that you can catch a mouse or two and think you've solved your problem, only to realize later that you allowed mice to continue to make you sick and destroy your property. The best solution for this step is to contact a licensed pest management provider.
Step Six: Seal Your Exterior
Once all the mice are removed, you should seal your exterior to prevent future infestations. Do a detailed inspection of your exterior walls and seal every gap, crack, and entry point you find.
Get Help
You don't have to go it alone. Remember that the pest professionals at Adams Exterminating Company are always available to assist you with pest infestations in Allen and throughout our North Texas service area. Contact us today and make sure you get those mice the first time.