When mice invade a Levittown home or business, people are often not concerned about which species the animals might belong to. Instead, they are more focused on getting rid of the pests before more damage is done and people start getting sick.
However, a licensed pest management professional takes a different view. He wants to know which pest species is infesting a home. This information helps him make the best decisions for evicting the unwanted tenants and keeping them out.
In the case of rodents, this is critical. Rodents are extremely dangerous to people. They may be responsible for spreading dozens of diseases. Breathing contaminated air, eating tainted food or preparing food on an unclean surface are all ways that white-footed mice make people sick.
Additionally, rodents are among the most destructive pest species. Their teeth are used on every surface and item that the mouse encounters, helping the rodent to get indoors, collect material for nesting and find food. Unfortunately, people's homes and personal belongings frequently are damaged beyond repair in a rodent infestation.
With white-footed mice being a serious threat, the smartest thing for homeowners to do is to call a professional. The exterminator destroys and removes mice while clearing out their nests and blocking access to the home. With the structure rodent-proof, it is possible for people to return to their daily routine without fear of encountering white-footed mice.
WHAT DO WHITE-FOOTED MICE LOOK LIKE?
White-footed mice have reddish-brown or light brown fur on their backs while their bellies and feet are much lighter. Scientists describe this as being "bi-colored," a phenomenon that is echoed on the creature's tail. From nose to tail, most adult white-footed mice measure about five to eight inches. The tail may be an addition two to four inches.
WHAT DO WHITE-FOOTED MICE EAT?
Rodents generally are considered omnivorous, making them well adapted to survive virtually any conditions. Foods like seeds, nuts and grains are heavily favored, but many rodents also will eat small mammals. Rodents further may seek fruits, vegetables, fungus, tree bark, flower blossoms and many other items when nesting outdoors.
Cold weather or simple opportunity may draw rodents indoors to forage for food. Meat, rice, pasta, grains, seeds, nuts, bread and other baked goods are just a few of the foods that rodents may target. Also, pet food can be enormously attractive to hungry rodents.
WHERE DO WHITE-FOOTED MICE LIVE?
White-footed mice thrive in virtually any landscape and climate. Their native habitat is dry forests or brushy areas, but living on mountains and in semi-desert locales is not unusual. Moreover, these rodents are well-adapted for living in suburban and farming regions. Nests typically are located in hollow trees or deserted bird's nests.
Nests built inside homes or other structures is common. White-footed mice prefer to build a nest where people are unlikely to disturb them, so they seek a place that is quiet, dark, sheltered and perhaps even cluttered. Basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, sheds and disused rooms are perfect nesting sites.
White-footed mice do not always establish a nest inside a structure. Sometimes, these are set up in an adjacent area, like a pile of yard debris or lumber, and the rodent may forage for food inside the house.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY WHITE-FOOTED MICE
White-footed mice are among the most destructive pests. Roofs, siding, walls, window and door frames and other construction elements all may be damaged by their chewing. These rodents may use their teeth to enlarge a small crack or hole in the building's exterior so they can come inside.
As they search for food and perhaps a place to nest, the rodents explore with their teeth. Books, documents, sheets, towels and clothing may be shredded. Furniture, cabinets and windowsills all may sustain damage. It is not unusual for white-footed mice to chew on electrical wiring, causing outages and fires, and on plumbing pipes, which can cause leaks.
White-footed mice also contaminate food and food preparation surfaces while leaving their waste products indiscriminately throughout the home.
ARE WHITE-FOOTED MICE AGGRESSIVE?
Avoiding people is high on this rodent's list of preferences, but sometimes encounters are inevitable. The animal's first instinct is to run, but if it cannot find anywhere to go, it can turn aggressive. A bite or scratch from a white-footed mouse is always a serious medical concern, and it should receive immediate attention.
DO WHITE-FOOTED MICE CARRY DISEASE?
As vectors for dozens of diseases, white-footed mice are a major health threat. Even people who never actually see white-footed mice in their homes may still become sick through breathing contaminated air or inadvertently coming into contact with waste products.
Perhaps the most common disease that is spread by white-footed mice is Lyme disease. It is not unusual for these rodents to carry parasites like the blacklegged tick, and the bite of this pest is responsible for spreading Lyme disease to people.
In households where a white-footed mouse infestation is suspected, it is wise to be wary of symptoms such as fatigue, fever, swollen lymph nodes and achy joints and muscles as these all may be the early signs of Lyme disease.
People also may contract Hantavirus through inhalation of or contact with white-footed mouse droppings. Likewise, the rodent's urine or saliva can transmit this illness. Symptoms may include fever, muscle aches and fatigue.
HOW TO DETECT WHITE-FOOTED MICE
The following signs may indicate a white-footed mouse issue:
• Shredded mattresses, linens or upholstered furniture • Gnaw marks on surfaces inside or outside the home • Stains from urine or droppings • Garden plants mysteriously dug up
HOW TO PREVENT WHITE-FOOTED MICE
To help prevent problems with white-footed mice the following steps should be taken:
• Keep kitchen surfaces clean • Store food in containers that mice cannot chew through • Do not keep food on counters or tables • Put dirty dishes in the dishwasher instead of letting them sit in the sink • Seal up cracks and openings to eliminate access points • Keep foliage and lawns trimmed back • Prevent trees and bushes from touching buildings
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.
