Posted Jan. 30, 2018
The house mouse is remarkably well-adapted for living year-round in homes, food establishments, and other structures.
Homeowners are especially likely to notice them during winter, following their fall migration indoors in search of warmth, food, and shelter. Once mice get into your home, they can be extremely difficult to control.
Your first step is to get a pest inspection for optimal rodent control in your home or business. Call Lamp Pestproof to schedule an inspection or estimate by a licensed and certified professional.
Reasons to Control Mice: Although most people consider mice to be less objectionable than rats, mice are more common and cause much more damage. Mice reproduce continuously, as many as six to ten litters per year. The greatest economic loss caused by mice is that of the items that have to be thrown out due to damage and contamination. Food, clothing, furniture, and many other household items are contaminated by their droppings and urine, or damaged by their gnawing. Mice also can transmit diseases, most notably salmonellosis (bacterial food poisoning) when food is contaminated with their droppings.
Mouse Behavior: Mice are nocturnal creatures, so they are rarely seen by the homeowner. The most obvious indicators of their presence are droppings (1/8 to 1/2 inches long, dark, and pointed at both ends). Compared to rats, mice only forage short distances from their nest – usually not more than 10 to 25 feet.
Tactics for Control: The best way to control mice is to prevent their entry. Mice are able to squeeze through cracks as small as the width of a dime. Good sanitation and food storage practices are helpful in reducing problems with mice.
