Is there a way for us to keep mice away? This is one question everyone wants to ask Raleigh pest exterminators.
Mice are one of the most polarizing creatures on earth. It is either you love them or you hate them; you either see them as pets or pests. Mice do have their merits, as we will detail later on in this article, and these merits make them wonderful pets for kids. What homeowners cannot stand is that these mice can also be terrible pests. Not only are they such a nuisance to have around the house, but mice can also pose a serious health risk when they get too close to humans. They are known to spread several nasty diseases that could be fatal if left untreated. Plus, their capacity for devastation around the house is unmatched by any other pest. That is why residents of Raleigh are always on the lookout for things that can get rid of mice, be it the conventional or the unconventional way.
There are reports that keeping the lights on will repel mice, and everyone wants to know if this is true.
In this article, Go-Forth Home Services, always a call away for any pest control problem in Raleigh, will be discussing mice, their behaviors, and how to keep them away.
An Overview of Mice
Mice are among the most common household pests in Raleigh. They have similar features as rats, only smaller. Mice have rounded eyes, furry, long snouts, large ears with some hair, and tails that are as long, if not longer than their bodies.
Mice are attracted to human dwellings due to what they present to them: food, water, and a warm shelter. They can quickly adapt to changes in their environment and can breed very quickly. They are sexually active; a female mouse can give birth at 5 weeks old, and can continue to do so every three weeks. It can give birth to as many as 5 to 12 babies every time until their deaths.
Mice prefer to eat seeds, insects, nuts, fruits, and cereals when they are outdoors. But when they are in human dwellings, they can eat any human food. They can also be found scavenging in trash cans and garbage bins. They can survive 1 week without water, getting their hydration needs from the food they eat.
They are sociable animals too. They like to live together in a single nest where they sleep together, eat together, play together, and fight together. When they are left alone, they feel lonely. When they lose a fellow mouse, they mourn.
Mice are very intelligent creatures and have very good long-term memories. They are inquisitive, yet they avoid any confrontation. They are quick to run away in the face of danger. They easily remember the paths they took, and know when a new obstruction has been placed. This makes it very tricky to catch them.
Mice as Pets
Mice can be docile when they are around humans most of the time. They are popular as pets, especially for kids. Mice are usually good as a first pet before kids move on to the much larger dogs or cats. Mice have good long-term memories. They remember their owners, which is rare among animals.
They are loving and can get used to being touched. As pets, they should not be left alone outside their cage because they have plenty of natural enemies. Birds, cats, snakes, lizards, and dogs are among their predators.
Mice groom themselves well and do not need to be bathed. Male mice have a stronger odor than their female counterparts.
If you want to have a mouse or two as pets, you would need a cage with a secure door. For their food, they have special pellets and also seed-based food.
Your pet needs a bed. Most pet owners use shredded, uninked paper or recycled virgin wood pulp.
On a darker note, mice are used as food for other people’s pets, like for their pet snakes.
What Are Mice Attracted To?
Mice will live outdoors in favorable conditions, like during spring and summer when the weather is pleasant and food is everywhere. Under these conditions, they do not need to attack homes because the outdoors can provide for their needs. However, when the temperature drops during winter, they will look for shelter in houses, garages, parked vehicles, restaurants, office buildings, and other places where they can get protection from the elements.
In gardens and farm fields, mice can get access to food. Indoors, they can get food scraps, human food, uncovered trash cans and garbage bins, pet food, and stored foods in the pantry and kitchen.
Mice are omnivores; they will eat almost anything. They do have their favorites: seeds, fruits, and grains. They are frequent eaters; they like to eat 15 to 20 times a day. Since they eat so much during their waking hours, they like to set up their nests near their food sources.
Mice are also always looking for places to hide, like clutter, old boxes, old cardboard, and piles of newspapers and magazines. They gnaw on these materials, as it is their way of easing the pain from their incisors that are constantly growing. Chewing on anything prevents their incisors from growing any further.
What Repels Mice?
Mice are nocturnal; they are most active at night to forage for food. There are instances though that they go out of their nests during the daytime.
Going outside their nests when it is dark serves their purpose. It keeps them away from predators. They also get to avoid confrontation with humans. And since they are easily startled, they do not like going out when everyone else is active. They are scared of bright lights and noises too.
Mice have poor eyesight and thus rely on their sense of smell. They are repelled by the scent of cheese, for one. This is contrary to what popular culture has made us believe. Mice do not like cheese. They are alerted by the scent of another mouse too. The fragrances emitted by plants and trees, while pleasant to humans, repel mice as well.
As for the lights inside your house, it is not an effective mice deterrent. This is because they can easily look for dark areas to hide inside houses until such time as all lights are turned off. While the lights are on, they can hide inside walls, crawl spaces, attics, and ceilings. They would just lie in wait until they feel it is safe to go out.
Lights that are set up around the perimeter of a house are an effective deterrent though. They are prevented from crossing the lighted perimeter and from trying to enter the premises. Mice would rather go look elsewhere for food in a dark area.
Signs That You Have Mice Infestation Problems
Since mice are nocturnal, there is a chance you may not encounter them even if they are right under your nose. Fortunately, mice are not that intelligent enough not to leave clues to their presence. Here are signs that you have mice in your house.
- Gnaw marks on boxes, newspapers, magazines, cardboard, gas pipes, electric cables, walls, and furniture. These marks may be rough or smooth.
- Presence of droppings. Since mice eat a lot, they leave plenty of droppings. Their droppings look like little black pellets. It may either be soft and moist, or hard and dry.
- Mice have a distinct urine odor. It may be distinct when there are already a huge number of mice in one area.
- Chew marks on food and food packages.
- Actually seeing a mouse. One mouse could mean there are more since they are highly sociable creatures.
- Rub marks or grease stains on walls. Mice do not like being out in the open. That is why they crawl next to walls, where they feel safer. This will cause rub marks on their greasy bodies.
- Mice pick up things they think they can eat, and sometimes they inadvertently leave them behind. Loose candy wrappers or food particles left in areas that are out of the way could mean that these were left behind by mice.
Get Rid of Mice
Mice, unless they are pets, must be eliminated from your home. Not only are they a nuisance, but are also high health risks. They transmit deadly diseases like salmonella, leptospirosis, and rat-bite fever. Aside from that, they can cause damage to your property. Mice are found out to be the cause of fires 8% of the time.
If you think you have a mouse infestation, contact a licensed pest control professional near you. This is the best way to get rid of mice. They will conduct an inspection and recommend courses of action.
For the best rodent control professionals in Raleigh, call Go-Forth Home Services. Go-Forth Home Services will help you get rid of pests using their family-friendly and pet-friendly pesticides. Their technicians are highly skilled and well-trained, so you can relax with the confidence that they are doing the right thing for you.