It’s been said that you should never judge a menace by its size. And if you’re in pursuit of a menace that weighs between 12 and 30 grams and is no more than 20 centimeters long, you know the wisdom of these words.
You may think you have a mouse in the house. In reality, you probably have many mice scampering around. At the very least, it’s a safe bet that more are on their way, either because they have followed a leader into your home or they have decided that your home makes a fine place to extend their own family: With a 21-day pregnancy cycle, mice reproduce rapidly.
Besides the frequent and annoying scratching and clawing sounds they make, especially at night, mice pose health and safety risks to your home. So take these pests seriously and eliminate this menace. Bain Pest Control Service will share mice control methods that might help you. But don’t be surprised if, like many homeowners in the Manchester area, you reach out to Bain to defeat this tiny but mighty menace.
Mice Pose a Myriad of Threats
Like other pests, mice try to escape colder outdoor temperatures by seeking refuge indoors. Once they find an opening large enough for them—no bigger than the cap of a pen—they waste no time. Once inside, they:
- Chew on and destroy anything they can find to keep their teeth sharp. Their favorite targets include wood, drywall, insulation, plastic, cotton, and wires.
- Gnaw on things they cannot completely break down, such as metal and steel objects.
- Make a beeline for pantry and cupboards because they are drawn to the smell of food.
- Spread as many as 35 diseases in their wake, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These diseases include salmonella, murine typhus (the symptoms of which resemble measles or rubella), tularemia (which occurs after a mouse bite), and lymphocyticchoriomeningitis (a viral infectious disease).
- Burrow into snug objects such as furniture, walls, and beams, which could lead to structural damage.
Try Mice Control, the DIY Way
By now, you’ve probably undertaken the two best measures to prevent a mouse infestation:
- Sealing cracks and holes throughout your home, especially those around wires, pipes, and vents that lead outdoors, with caulk or by stuffing them with steel wool
- Practicing smart “food hygiene” by storing food in containers and never leaving it out in the open and by keeping your floors and counters as free of crumbs as possible
If mice have outmaneuvered you, try stopping them in their tracks by:
- Setting mouse traps, especially near areas where you have found droppings (which resemble pellets). Wooden “snap traps” work, provided they contain the proper bait. Mice favorites include bacon, chocolate, dried fruit, hazelnut spread, oatmeal, and peanut butter. Place the traps perpendicular to a wall so that the trigger mechanism faces the baseboard. This positioning will lead a mouse directly to the bait as it scurries along the wall.
- Placing a small bowl of peppermint oil near a favored entry point. To use this strategy, you must know the entry point. If you do, peppermint oil can be an effective deterrent; the intense aroma can repel mice instantly.
- Unleashing a dog or a cat to hunt them down. They can sniff out a home invader with breakneck efficiency.
Contact a Professional for a More Effective Solution
Try not to feel defeated if your mice control efforts come up short. Mice are crafty and elusive. But Bain Pest Control Service knows exactly how to get rid of them—and we do it every time. Call us for a consultation and we’ll make this menace a headache of your past.