Feasterville area residents are shocked when they see gnaw marks on furniture or rodent waste products inside their homes and offices. Usually, they are shocked because they think that their property is secure.
The reality is that species such as the house mouse are small and only require a tiny crack or hole through which to gain entrance. Moreover, house mice are equipped with sharp teeth and relatively strong jaws that enable them to enlarge even the smallest opening.
House mice come indoors in search of basic items like food, water and shelter. A water leak, a few crumbs scattered on the kitchen counter or an inviting opening in the home's siding can be enough to induce them to come indoors. Once inside, they are adept at hiding. This, plus their nocturnal tendencies, means that their presence may go undetected for some time.
However, with rapid reproduction rates, a predilection for causing property damage and the ability to spread serious illnesses, the problem soon becomes impossible to ignore.
People who suspect any type of rodent infestation in their homes are encouraged to immediately contact a pest management professional.
WHAT DO HOUSE MICE LOOK LIKE?
Body lengths of approximately two-and-a-half to three-and-three-quarter inches are common for adult house mice with the tail being between three and four inches in length. House mice have pointed muzzles, oversized ears and rounded bodies. On their backs, the fur may be light brown to gray while the fur on their stomachs is cream colored.
WHAT DO HOUSE MICE EAT?
The omnivorous house mouse is well adapted to survive in virtually any environment. Grain, seeds and fruit are among its favorite foods, and these may be sought both in the wild and in people's homes. A large house mouse population in the yard can be an enormous problem for gardeners as the rodents have an appetite for seeds that never seems to be satisfied.
When house mice come inside, they may seek out pet food for its protein content, but they also will be on the alert for any foods that are rich in carbohydrates. Peanut butter, baked goods, pasta, rice and chocolate all are likely to be consumed by the species.
WHERE DO HOUSE MICE LIVE?
As their name suggests, the house mouse is particularly well suited to life in human habitations. In fact, they actually prefer to live indoors rather than outdoors. Outdoor nesting is more common in the heat of the summer, but as the weather cools, even the hardiest house mouse will start looking to come inside.
Common nesting sites for house mice include sheds, barns, garages, crawlspaces, basements and attics. Each of these sites has certain characteristics in common. For instance, people tend not to enter these places very often. Additionally, these spaces frequently are cluttered, offering a variety of good hiding places.
House mice also may create a nest in more highly trafficked areas, especially if the population in less busy areas is dense. People have found house mice nesting in upholstered furniture or in the back of a cupboard or drawer. Wall voids are another common choice because they are well concealed and inaccessible to people.
House mice are so good at hiding their nests that the services of a professional exterminator typically are required to find and remove all of them.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY HOUSE MICE
House mice are small, which may make it seem as though they would not be capable of causing much damage. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Even a couple of house mice can cause an alarming amount of destruction, and their numbers rarely stay so contained when conditions are right.
Like other rodents, house mice have continuously growing teeth that must be worn down on a regular basis. Accordingly, house mice chew on everything from siding and sheetrock to wooden building frames and furniture.
Common household items like linens, documents, clothing and books all may suffer damage from a house mouse infestation. It is not unusual for the household to experience electrical problems when the mice chew through some wiring, and more than one house has experienced a leak brought about by a house mouse gnawing on a pipe.
In addition to chewing on everything, house mice use their claws to shred things like insulation, papers and textiles of all descriptions. Much of this material is transported back to the nest as lining.
ARE HOUSE MICE AGGRESSIVE?
Nocturnal house mice are determined to prevent their presence from being detected. Typically, they will scurry away upon seeing a person. However, an individual who accidentally corners a house mouse may be bitten or scratched, and these wounds can cause a serious illness.
DO HOUSE MICE CARRY DISEASE?
Nearly three dozen diseases commonly are carried by house mice. It is not necessary for a person to actually come into contact with a rodent to become ill. Exposure to the animal's waste products can spread illnesses such as Hantavirus and lymphocytic choriomeningitis. The bacteria called salmonella, which is responsible for food poisoning, also may be spread in this manner.
Food poisoning may occur upon ingestion of food or use of utensils that are contaminated with the waste products or saliva of a rodent. This is the most common illness associated with a house mouse infestation.
House mice are themselves infested with parasites like ticks, which may spread Lyme disease and Colorado tick fever. Similarly, many house mice carry fleas that may be responsible for spreading the Bubonic plague.
A house mouse bite or contact with a dead rodent may transmit rat-bite fever, which can be serious if not treated in a timely fashion.
HOW TO DETECT HOUSE MICE
The following signs may indicate a house mouse issue:
• Sounds like squeaking and scuffling from behind walls • Mouse waste products discovered in the house • Dusty surfaces show tiny rodent footprints • Gnaw marks marring a variety of surfaces
HOW TO PREVENT HOUSE MICE
To help prevent a house mouse problem the following steps should be taken:
• Frequently wipe down surfaces in the kitchen • Store food in metal or glass containers • Keep garbage cans clean • Put dirty dishes directly in the dishwasher • Seal up all cracks and gaps in the building's exterior
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.
