One of the most common mammals in America is also one of America’s most common house pets, mice! Nearly 21 million homes in the United States have problems with this small rodent during the winter months when mice seek shelter and food indoors. If you think your Charlotte, NC home has mice, call your local pest exterminator today to get an estimated price. Their small, light gray, or brown-furred body generally characterizes the average mouse.
They have small, circular, black eyes and large ears on a small head. Although they are seen during the daylight hours, mice prefer the night when they can crawl, jump, and nibble to their heart’s content. Mice tend to nest indoors in isolated, dark areas. They create nests anywhere there is a hollow space. The most common nesting sites are in walls, garages, crawl spaces, basements, or under large appliances. Once nested, a female mouse can rapidly reproduce, giving birth to an average of six mice every three weeks. Mice survive off of seeds, grains, insects, plants, or any food lying around. They have excellent hearing and smelling senses that help make up for their poor lack of vision.
Do You Have An Infestation In Charlotte, NC?
There are a few definite giveaways. Seeing one mouse generally means there are more. Finding mouse droppings usually means they have nested in the area. Droppings are found along pathways, feeding areas, along walls, furniture, under appliances, or in food storage areas. Gnawing marks are another sign that you may have mice! Mice love to chew and will do it to just about anything. These marks could be on wires, furniture, fabric, or even in insulation.
Here’s The Problem
Mice can do extreme damage to structural and personal property. Their love of chewing can destroy anything, from clothes to important documents. Mice are common carriers of lice, fleas, ticks, and mites. On top of that, they can spread hundreds of bacteria all around your house, like Salmonella and Hantavirus. Their droppings and micro-droplets of urine can trigger allergies in young children.
Prevention & Treatment
Their 1 to 3-inch long body is just tiny enough to squeeze into the smallest cracks in your house. They can fit into spaces as small as a nickel! Since mice can crawl into such small openings it is paramount to seek out and eliminate any possible entry points. Screen doors, windows, ceilings, floors, and walls should all be checked. Cracks should be filled. It is also important to clean out clutter and make sure your house is well-ventilated and moisture-free. Food should be stored in airtight containers and garbage should be disposed of regularly.
Common DIY methods include glue boards, mouse snap traps, or poison baits. These measures can be temperately effective for a small population of mice. However, for large infestations, a rodent pest control professional is always the foolproof way to get rid of mice and stay rid of them. A professional will seek out all possible entry points for mice and eliminate them. They will also stop an infestation before it gets out of control.