Residential and commercial buildings in Bensalem all are vulnerable to infestation by house mice. These rodents are so small that they are able to squeeze through tiny cracks in the building's exterior. To the untrained eye, these openings do not look big enough to let an animal through, but pest management professionals know better.
The reality is that house mice can enter a building through an opening that is no bigger than the width of a pencil. This means that any one-quarter inch opening in the foundation or walls is big enough to admit mice.
In addition, it is possible for house mice to use their teeth and claws to enlarge openings that are not the appropriate size. For this species, man-made structures represent excellent places to nest, find food and raise a family. This means that they are extremely determined to come indoors.
Despite living in close proximity with people, house mice are adept at going undetected. They forage for food at night, seeking even the most minuscule crumbs. During the day, they retreat to their nests, which may be hidden in attics, wall voids and other out-of-the-way places.
These easy living conditions are a recipe for house mouse success. Soon they are reproducing in great numbers, but there is a downside to this. As the population grows, it becomes more difficult to conceal their presence. This means that the property's owner is getting closer to enacting control measures.
It is always advisable for those control measures to include the intervention of a pest control company. A licensed technician is trained to eliminate openings, find and remove nests and use specialized products to eradicate the population. These are the means through which buildings may once again become safe for human habitation.
WHAT DO HOUSE MICE LOOK LIKE?
With their light-colored stomachs and gray or brown fur on their backs, house mice look a great deal like other rodents. Full-grown adults measure between two-and-a-half and three-and-three-quarter inches. The tail adds approximately three to four inches to the animal's total length. The house mouse's overall body shape is round, and they have large ears and pointy noses.
WHAT DO HOUSE MICE EAT?
One of the house mouse's secrets to success is its omnivorous eating habit. In general, it prefers foods such as seeds, grains and fruit. This means that members of the species can wreak havoc in pantries, farms and gardens.
Foods containing protein and carbohydrates are targeted when house mice come indoors. Pet food and meat are good sources of protein, and carbohydrates may be obtained from chocolate, peanut butter, rice, grains, baked goods and many other foods.
WHERE DO HOUSE MICE LIVE?
Their common name gives a major clue to the preferred habitat of these rodents. Of course, they do not restrict themselves to residential properties as they may be found living in commercial, agricultural and industrial buildings as well. Anywhere that people keep or eat food is especially vulnerable to infestation.
During the summer, house mice do sometimes nest outdoors, but they all seek indoor shelter when fall arrives. A shed, barn, garage, storage facility or other outbuilding is ideal for nesting. Alternatively, house mice may be found in attics, basements and crawlspaces. Some will simply use a cupboard or closet, and any cluttered room in which there are cardboard boxes is ideal.
Wall voids and soffits are good places to hide. Many people move a range or refrigerator only to find a rodent nest beneath it. Heavy equipment in factories and other industrial facilities likewise may be concealing nests for house mice in Bensalem.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY HOUSE MICE
Property owners frequently find it difficult to believe that such a small animal is capable of causing such widespread damage. In the early stages of an infestation, the accompanying damage is small. As time goes on and the population of house mice grows, the destruction becomes more widespread. However, if the animals spend most of their time in an attic or storage room that is infrequently visited, this pattern of destruction can go on for months.
House mice use their sharp teeth to inflict most of this damage. Gnawing on construction materials like wood and sheetrock, they can cause extensive structural issues. Furniture similarly is susceptible. In addition to gnawing on wooden frames, the pests will shred any upholstery and carry it back to their nest for lining.
Evidence of gnawing and shredding also may be found among books, documents, clothing and a variety of other textiles. House mice are known to chew on electrical cords and wiring, causing unexpected outages and even fires. Even plumbing pipes may sustain damage, causing considerable problems with water leaks.
ARE HOUSE MICE AGGRESSIVE?
In general, house mice do not want to be noticed by people, but they will strike out if a confrontation occurs. House mice are natural prey animals, which means that they will instinctively react if they are frightened. People who accidentally corner a house mouse are likely to be bitten or scratched, and these wounds require medical attention.
DO HOUSE MICE CARRY DISEASE?
This is the main reason why people panic when they see evidence of a house mouse infestation. These rodents may transmit almost three dozen distinct illnesses to people. House mouse waste products may be infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis and Hantavirus. Similarly, it is common for house mouse waste products to contain salmonella, bacteria which cause food poisoning.
While an attack of food poisoning may be the most common illness associated with a house mouse infestation, more serious sicknesses may be transmitted by the parasites that the rodents carry. Ticks spread Colorado tick fever and Lyme disease while fleas may be infected with bubonic plague.
Being bitten by a house mouse may result in a case of rat-bite fever, and this also can be spread through physical contact with a dead mouse.
HOW TO DETECT HOUSE MICE
Signs of a house mouse infestation include:
• Tiny footprints can be seen on dusty surfaces • Mouse feces are found indoors • Rustling and squeaking noises are heard behind walls • Gnaw marks are evident on the building or its contents
HOW TO PREVENT HOUSE MICE
To help prevent house mouse issues the following steps should be taken:
• Eliminate holes, gaps and cracks in the building's exterior • Keep doors and windows closed • Trim foliage so that it does not contact the building's exterior • Repair water leaks upon discovery • Revamp kitchen and dining room cleaning practices • Opt for pest-proof food storage containers • Refrain from placing dirty dishes in the sink or on the counter • Ensure that all garbage cans have tight lids • Keep garbage cans clean
HOW TO TREAT FOR RODENTS
Successful rodent control typically involves a series of steps, including trapping, poison baits, along with proper species identification.
Those who suspect a rodent problem should contact Newtown Termite & Pest Control. Our experienced pest control professionals know how to inspect a structure to determine the type and scope of the infestation involved. They will then execute the appropriate plan of action to resolve the specific rodent issue plaguing your home or business while identifying entry points to help protect against future problems.
