Do you suspect a mouse infestation in your home? You are probably not alone – mice are a common pest to discover inside houses. Once these rodents get into your residence, it is important to identify them and remove them as soon as possible. Mice breed frequently, so their population can expand rapidly if they are not removed promptly. Knowing the signs of mice may assist homeowners in knowing when there's a rodent problem in the home.
If you suspect there are mice in your home, keep an eye out for signs of the pests. Many homeowners cite mouse droppings as the reason they discovered an infestation. These droppings are usually spotted near where the mice eat and find shelter, but it is not uncommon to find them in other places as well. Some homeowners may find mouse tracks in dusty areas, and these can include pawprints as well as tail marks. Finding gnaw marks on items and boxes in your pantry is also not uncommon when mice are searching for food. You may even be able to spot the rodents yourself, and their nests are sometimes stumbled upon while in garages, closets, attics and basements.
Mice are noisy pests to have in your home, and they can often be heard moving about. Because they are primarily nocturnal, the sounds they make will probably be heard primarily at night. Homeowners should listen for signs of mice in their walls, attics, ceilings and crawlspaces. If you hear climbing, scratching, squeaking or gnawing during the night, you may be dealing with an infestation. These noises can get extremely loud depending on the severity of the infestation.
Mice may cause some homes to have an unpleasant odor. When mice die in a home, the bodies take weeks to decompose, and the smell that comes with it takes even longer to go away. A dead mouse is not the only rodent that will cause a stench. Severe mouse infestations can cause an entire home to have an odor, due to the excrement they leave in walls and insulation. These smells must be eliminated, or they will attract more rodents and pests to your home.
Because mice can cause serious damage to home and pose a potential health hazard, it is important to have them removed as soon as possible by pest control professionals.