The white-footed mouse might seem small and innocuous, but people in Bensalem who have dealt with an infestation know that looks are deceiving. All across the region, the white-footed mouse causes enormous problems in terms of health risks and property damage. Whenever people see white-footed mice, their first response should be to call an exterminator.
Unfortunately, members of this species are small and adept at hiding. They are more active at night, and this means that they may escape peoples' notice for quite some time. This enables these animals to spread filth throughout the building, contaminating food and the interior air supply as they go. At the same time, white-footed mice chew and claw their way through the structure, causing widespread damage that is difficult and costly to repair.
When property owners first see the signs of a white-footed mouse infestation, they may hesitate to act. They think that maybe the problem is a small one with just a mouse or two invading. Perhaps setting out a couple of traps will take care of the issue.
This approach is nearly always a mistake. White-footed mice and other rodents spend most of their time in places where they will not be readily seen by people. A chance sighting of a single rodent signals a larger problem that may involve dozens of other animals lurking in the background. With the white-footed mouse's propensity for rapid reproduction, the problem soon will be out of hand.
The outcome is vastly different when a licensed pest management professional is called in to assess the situation. With an inspection complete and a treatment strategy in place, it is possible to evict the rodents and leave the building in safe and sanitary conditions.
WHAT DO WHITE-FOOTED MICE LOOK LIKE?
With white fur on their bellies and feet, it is easy to see how this rodent got its name. Reddish brown fur covers the animal's back, and this bi-color pattern is repeated on the tail. The body measures between five and eight inches long while the tail may be as much as two to four inches longer.
WHAT DO WHITE-FOOTED MICE EAT?
Although the white-footed mouse seems to have a preference for a plant-based diet, it also will eat protein, making it an omnivorous animal. Its most frequently eaten food items include fruit, grains, seeds, nuts and flowers. Although these are favorites, individuals may resort to eating bark, leaves, wood and fungi when other options are scarce. When protein is needed, the mouse will eat insects.
White-footed mice do especially well inside human structures. Many of the foods that people enjoy also are appropriate for these animals. This is why mice or the signs of their presence are so frequently discovered in kitchens, pantries and any rooms in which food may be consumed. Nuts, seeds, bread, meat, peanut butter, maple syrup, jam, honey and pet food are only a few examples of the foods that white-footed mice will target.
Instinctively, white-footed mice store food for the winter. This means that they may forage for food that is then carried back to their nest to be kept for a later date.
WHERE DO WHITE-FOOTED MICE LIVE?
Members of the species may be found living almost anywhere, and they do particularly well in suburban neighborhoods and agricultural settings. Thanks to an abundance of seeds and other food items in these places, survival is much easier for these rodents when they live close to people.
An abandoned bird's nest or the hollow in a tree can make a convenient outdoor nest, and there are even more options when white-footed mice live indoors. The rodents do not want people to notice them, so they are likely to select nesting sites that are rarely disturbed. Basements, crawlspaces, attics, sheds, garages and storage rooms frequently host white-footed mouse infestations. Any large pieces of equipment or major appliances that are only infrequently moved may provide an ideal place to nest. Soffits and wall voids offer plenty of protection, and cupboards, closets, drawers and cluttered shelves similarly may be used.
No white-footed mouse infestation is truly over until all of the nests are located and removed. Failing to do so can result in ongoing health problems and property damage. Consequently, it is essential that property owners in Bensalem hire a professional to help with rodent infestations.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY WHITE-FOOTED MICE
Living indoors is highly desirable for white-footed mice. Accordingly, they are motivated to find a way inside. An unscreened window or door that is carelessly left open is like an invitation, but most mice will enter a building through less obvious means. A crack in the foundation, a gap in an unevenly hung door or the hole through which utility lines enter the building all are prospective entrances for white-footed mice.
These animals are small, so they do not need a large opening to gain admittance. If they do encounter a hole that is not quite large enough, they will use their teeth and claws to make it bigger.
Of course, this is not the end of the property damage. White-footed mice need to make nests, and they will shred insulation, documents, textiles and fabrics to accomplish this. They use their teeth on the frames for windows and doors, furniture and electronics. Property owners may suffer from plumbing and electrical issues after mice gnaw on pipes and wiring. Fires sometimes can be caused by rodent activity.
ARE WHITE-FOOTED MICE AGGRESSIVE?
White-footed mice instinctively consider themselves prey, so they try to hide or avoid people as much as possible. A cornered animal will react with aggression, using their sharp teeth and claws to defend itself. People can get sick after being scratched or bitten by a white-footed mouse.
DO WHITE-FOOTED MICE CARRY DISEASE?
Bites and scratches are obvious methods through which a white-footed mouse might transmit an illness to a person. However, direct physical contact is not necessary in order for mice to make people sick.
Rodent waste products will be indiscriminately distributed throughout the building during an infestation. This contaminates the indoor air, and some people may become seriously ill. These animals further contaminate any food from which they forage. People who consume this food may suffer from serious digestive and intestinal issues.
Many white-footed mice carry parasites such as the blacklegged tick, which is known for spreading Lyme disease. Symptoms may include painful joints and muscles, fever and swelling of the lymph nodes. Prompt medical attention may prevent the onset of more serious symptoms.
HOW TO DETECT WHITE-FOOTED MICE
Signs of a white-footed mouse infestation include:
• Rodent droppings being discovered anywhere indoors • Shredding of fabric, clothing, textiles and linens • Damage to documents, books and furniture • Tooth and claw marks on surfaces throughout the building • Severe damage to plants and other landscaping elements
HOW TO PREVENT WHITE-FOOTED MICE
To help prevent white-footed mouse issues the following steps should be taken:
• Identify any holes or gaps in the building's exterior so that they can be eliminated • Switch to food storage containers that are rodent-proof • Correct water leaks • Do not allow trees, shrubs and plants to touch building exteriors • Eliminate indoor and outdoor clutter • More frequently clean any areas in which food is stored, prepared or consumed • Keep garbage cans clean • Make pet food accessible only at meal times
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.
