HOUSE MOUSE CONTROL LEVITTOWN, PA
The "house mouse" name is an apt one. Perhaps more than any other species, these rodents are adapted to live indoors and are commonly found throughout the Levittown area. Most of the time, these infestations come as an unpleasant surprise.
Homes and businesses may feel bewildered when they see a mouse or find evidence of their presence. Since they have a clean environment and think that there are no holes or cracks in the exterior of the building through which a mouse could squeeze.
What most people do not know is that the common house mouse is a small animal that is capable of fitting through the tiniest openings.
Moreover, some choose not to take action the first time they notice rodent waste products or other signs that common house mice are invading. They may think that it is just one mouse and that a trap will take care of it.
Unfortunately, this rarely is an accurate assessment. Where one house mouse is present, dozens more may be lurking behind the scenes. While these mice can cause serious damage to the structure of the building and its contents, they also spread dozens of potentially lethal diseases.
Stopping the common house mouse requires more than a trap. Instead, it is wise to call a professional who can properly assess the infestation and take various steps to address it.
WHAT DO HOUSE MICE LOOK LIKE?
Common house mice are quite small with most full-grown individuals measuring a total of between two and four inches in length. The tail is an additional three to four inches. Members of the species may be identified by the gray or light brown fur on their backs and the cream-colored fur on their stomachs. Other characteristics include a rounded body, large ears and a pointy muzzle.
WHAT DO HOUSE MICE EAT?
Their ability to survive on almost anything is one of the adaptations that makes the common house mouse such a successful species. In the wild, house mice gravitate toward natural items like seeds, grain and fruit. When a large population takes up residence in a yard where the homeowner is trying to grow flowers and produce, this can be an enormous and frustrating problem.
Indoors, the common house mouse looks for similar food items, but its choices are much more varied. Chocolate, baked goods, rice, pasta, honey, peanut butter, meat and pet food all are targeted by house mice.
WHERE DO HOUSE MICE LIVE?
It is rare to find a common house mouse nesting outdoors. This is because this species has adapted over the centuries to thrive living in close quarters with people. The most likely time that house mice will nest outdoors is the summer. However, this is an unusual choice, and house mice that do so will definitely look to shift indoors as fall approaches.
In general, house mouse nests are found in man-made structures that are dark, cluttered and little visited. A shed or garage is a likely nesting site, but some mice will select an attic, basement or crawl space instead. The more cluttered these places are, the better. Clutter provides plenty of cover and hiding places to protect mice from predators.
House mice also will establish nests most anywhere, even in those areas those that frequently are occupied. Adept at hiding their nests, house mice may be found sleeping beneath major appliances behind furniture, or in closets.
Still other common house mice will conceal their nests in truly inaccessible places like wall voids. A pest management professional may be needed to locate and remove all possible nests.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY HOUSE MICE
Though house mice are small, they tend to be present in great numbers. Each mouse needs to chew on things on a near-constant basis to slow the growth of their teeth. Accordingly, common house mice use their teeth on any wood, plastic and metal surfaces they encounter. Towels, sheets and clothing may be shredded with teeth and claws to be used as nesting material. Documents and books may be torn as well, and upholstered furniture may be heavily damaged.
Common house mice chew through electrical wiring in walls and appliances, causing unexpected outages and even fires. Water leaks may come about as a result of house mice gnawing on plumbing pipes.
Wherever house mice go, they leave their waste products behind. Feces and urine may contaminate insulation and a variety of surfaces in the home as well as food that the mice have gotten into.
ARE HOUSE MICE AGGRESSIVE?
Curious but shy around people, house mice do what they can to avoid contact. Nonetheless, a person may inadvertently corner a mouse. During such a confrontation, the mouse may react with aggression. Biting and scratching are the common house mouse's main forms of self-defense. Anyone who is injured in such an attack is encouraged to seek immediate medical attention.
DO HOUSE MICE CARRY DISEASE?
Scientists have identified approximately three dozen diseases that may be carried by house mice. Any of these may be transmitted to people, and it is not necessary for a person to handle a rodent to become ill.
For instance, diseases such as lymphocytic choriomeningitis and Hantavirus are spread through exposure to house mouse waste products. House mice also spread salmonella, the bacteria that are responsible for many cases of food poisoning, via this method.
Most house mice carry a number of parasites like fleas and ticks. These parasites may spread illnesses that include the Bubonic plague, Colorado tick fever and Lyme disease.
A person who accidentally is bitten by a house mouse or has physical contact with a dead mouse may be susceptible to rat-bite fever. This illness can be severe without appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
HOW TO DETECT HOUSE MICE
Signs of a house mouse issue include:
• Seeing mice anywhere in the house
• Sounds of squeaking emanating from behind walls
• Rodent footprints seen in dusty surfaces
• Furniture and other household items show signs of gnawing or shredding
HOW TO PREVENT HOUSE MICE
To help prevent a house mouse problem the following steps should be taken:
• Eliminate holes and cracks in the home's exterior
• Clean outdoor garbage cans
• Prevent foliage from contacting the building's exterior
• Clear gutters and downspouts
• Regularly clean all kitchen surfaces
• Refrain from leaving dirty dishes in the sink
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.
Schedule a FREE inspection today.
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