Spotting a tiny mouse inside a Philadelphia area home or business may lead people to believe that it is a lone intruder. Unfortunately, they are likely mistaken. Odds are, one mouse is a sign that many more are present. Add to this the fact that species like the white-footed mouse are capable of swift and prolific reproduction, and any mouse infestation could prove to be a recipe for disaster.
When a white-footed mouse infestation is present, problems can multiply. The mice keep chewing on the building, furniture and other items while also contaminating the structure with their waste products. Mouse waste products are dangerous, especially if they become airborne. Accordingly, it is critical to act fast to put an end to white-footed mouse infestations and clean up the mess they leave behind.
While property owners might try to resolve the problem by setting out a mouse trap, stronger measures are probably required. Through the services of an exterminator, it is possible to identify the problem species, kill and remove the mice, seal up the building and perform a thorough cleanup that returns the structure to pristine condition.
WHAT DO WHITE-FOOTED MICE LOOK LIKE?
Ordinarily found in rural or suburban places, white-footed mice are approximately five to eight inches long. Their tails add to their length by two to four inches. The white-footed mouse is bi-colored, meaning that it is darker on its back than on its belly. The back is covered with light or reddish brown fur while the stomach and feet are white.
WHAT DO WHITE-FOOTED MICE EAT?
Almost any edible item is on the menu for the omnivorous white-footed mouse. When foraging outdoors, the species tends to gravitate toward seeds, nuts, grains, flower, fruit and other natural, plant-based items. Bark, leaves, wood and fungus also are consumed. Additionally, white-footed mice eat a variety of insects.
With few foods being off limits, the white-footed mouse thrives in human habitations and places of work. Wherever food such as peanut butter, meat, nuts, seeds, grains, honey and pet food are found, white-footed mice will invade.
White-footed mice remain active in the winter. Accordingly, they store caches of food against a lack of available food items during the colder months.
WHERE DO WHITE-FOOTED MICE LIVE?
White-footed mice are extremely adaptable when it comes to habitat. Commonly found in forests or in places where there is heavy brush, the white-footed mouse also thrives in semi-desert and alpine regions. Agricultural lands and suburban neighborhoods are particularly attractive, with nesting sites likely to be an abandoned bird's nest or a hole in a hollow tree.
Finding white-footed mouse nests in man-made structures is common. Any spot that is dark and offers shelter may be ideal, especially if the area is not frequently disturbed by people. This is why attics, garages, basements and sheds are popular nesting locations. Nests also may be found in woodpiles, beneath major kitchen appliances, in the back of drawers and cupboards or in closets.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY WHITE-FOOTED MICE
For a small rodent, the white-footed mouse is capable of causing a surprising amount of destruction. They are determined when it comes to getting into places where they are not wanted, like buildings. A small gap or crack is a sufficient invitation, and if the opening is not large enough, the rodent uses its teeth to make it larger.
Accordingly, existing weak spots in a structure's exterior are exacerbated by the infestation, leaving siding, roofing and other common construction items vulnerable. Window and door frames may receive similar damage, and some white-footed mice enter buildings through holes in window screens.
Softer objects like insulation, documents and books are shredded and carried to the nest, and the mice tear through clothing, linens and upholstered furniture. Chewing on plumbing pipes is common. This behavior causes leaks or makes existing leaks worse. Similarly, rodents chew on electrical cords and wiring, causing appliances and light fixtures to stop working. In extreme circumstances, this can cause fires.
ARE WHITE-FOOTED MICE AGGRESSIVE?
White-footed mice are most active at night, and they prefer being hidden. This means that they do not often see people. When they do, they react with fear. Normally, this leads the white-footed mouse to run away, but if this is not possible, then the animal reacts with aggression. Biting and scratching are its two main means of defense, and any wounds received can be serious.
DO WHITE-FOOTED MICE CARRY DISEASE?
Even when no one is aware that a white-footed mouse infestation is happening, these rodents can make people sick. This is because it is not necessary to make physical contact with a rodent to contract an illness. Rodent waste products contaminate indoor air, giving people mysterious symptoms that they may not realize are connected to a rodent infestation until they go to a doctor.
In fact, white-footed mice may carry dozens of diseases that they can transmit to people through various means. Lyme disease frequently travels from rodents to people via parasites such as the blacklegged tick. Characterized by symptoms like muscle and joint pain, swollen lymph nodes and fever, it is imperative that people receive prompt diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease.
Hantavirus similarly is carried by many white-footed mice. Fatigue, muscle aches, fever and other symptoms may follow exposure to white-footed mouse waste products.
HOW TO DETECT WHITE-FOOTED MICE
Signs of a white-footed mice issue include:
• Landscaping plants are dug up • Rodent waste products found on the property or in a building • Gnaw marks on various surfaces • Soft and paper items show signs of shredding
HOW TO PREVENT WHITE-FOOTED MICE
To help protect against white-footed mouse problems the following steps should be taken:
• Restrict eating to certain rooms or areas • Keep eating and food-preparation areas clean • Ensure that building exteriors are sealed against pests • Upgrade food storage systems to make them rodent-proof • Keep garbage cans clean • Do not allow trees and plants to touch 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.
