Having mice on your property isn't fun. These furry pests can be a nuisance to deal with, causing stress for home and business owners alike. But mice are more than just annoying, intrusive pests. Mice can actually be dangerous when living on your property. So, if you're worried about having mice problems in Queen Creek, AZ, this guide can help you avoid them.
Problems Caused By Mice
Mice are members of the rodent family like rats and squirrels. Like other rodents, mice have fortified incisor teeth that continue to grow throughout their lives. In order to keep these teeth trimmed, mice must constantly gnaw on hard objects and have a knack for chewing through wood, plastic, and even brick.
Mice that infest homes and businesses will gnaw on electrical wires. When wires are exposed and badly damaged, appliances can stop working, and in worst-case scenarios, electrical fires can occur.
Besides damage to your property and belongings, mice pose health risks as well. Mouse droppings can transmit bacteria that cause salmonellosis and leptospirosis, among other diseases. Mice can also carry parasites like ticks and fleas, which carry a number of diseases of their own.
Mice tend to explore and will contaminate surfaces in your home or business as they travel in search of food, meaning they can spread diseases throughout your property without you realizing it. Worst of all, mice cause stress. Having an infestation of mice can severely impact your quality of life and cause you to lose sleep and valuable relaxation at home or lose focus at work.
Signs Of A Mouse Infestation
If you suspect you have mice or want to keep a lookout for them, there are several signs that you can watch for.
- Droppings – Mice leave dark pellet size droppings, scattered randomly.
- Noise – You can hear mice making a variety of noises at including scratching, squeaking, and gnawing. You'll hear them at night in walls, floorboards, attics, and basements.
- Nests – The presence of soft shredded materials arranged in a nest usually indicates mice.
- Odor – Mouse urine has a strong smell similar to ammonia that intensifies as an infestation grows.
How To Prevent Mice Problems
The good news is, if you make a few minor adjustments around your property and keep up good sanitation habits, you can reduce the risk of a mouse infestation developing. Here are some tips on how to prevent mice problems.
- Sanitation – Clean the surfaces where you eat and cook, making sure to get rid of all food scraps, crumbs, and spills. Don't leave dirty dishes piled up in the sink, and mop and vacuum floors often.
- Repairs – Look around the exterior of your property for any cracks or openings. A mouse only needs a hole a quarter of an inch wide to squeeze through, and gaps in your foundation, plumbing, or electrical junctions might need patching. Use steel wool or metal lathe to cover any openings.
- Trash disposal – Be sure that mice can't get into your trash. Don't let trash accumulate indoors, and, if possible, keep garbage receptacles away from the building. Use metal bins for the best defense against mice.
- Food storage – Keep pantry foods stored in secure containers. Mice can chew through plastic, so metal or glass containers are best for deterring mice.
DIY vs. Professional Services
Mice aren't easy to get rid of on your own. They can be elusive and slip in and out through the smallest holes, and even if you manage to trap one mouse, there are likely more hiding on your property where you can't reach them. Mice breed quickly, and an infestation can soon become too large for DIY methods to be effective. In fact, just one mouse can give birth to eighty young in one year.
You shouldn't have to spend your time and money on home pest control methods that aren't effective. End your mice problems once and for all with help from the experts at Canopy Pest Control. Our knowledgeable team will work with you to develop a mouse treatment plan for your home or service plan for your business that suits your needs, so you can get back to enjoying a pest-free life.
To solve all your mice problems in Queen Creek, AZ, get in touch with us today.