What’s interesting, though, is that mice also have favorite seasons. Can you guess what it is? It’s any season that isn’t winter, of course! As long as these pests are warm and their bellies are full, they are happy. If it gets too cold outdoors, mice will immediately look for shelter indoors, and unfortunately, that shelter could be the interior of your home. If you would rather not share your living space with some uninvited furry guests this winter, here is everything you should know.
The Common House Mouse
There are a few different species of mice that live in our area, and not all of them are known for invading homes. The most common mouse invader in our area is the house mouse: this small pest has well earned its name for its forte at some classic chewing and entering. Identify a house mouse by its round body, dusty gray coat with intermixed black hairs, cream-colored belly, large ears, pointy nose, and beady red or black eyes.
Problems Mice Cause
Mice are practically built to cause trouble for homeowners. For one, these pests have extremely sharp and durable front incisor teeth. They use these teeth to widen holes around homes, chew through walls, gnaw on furniture, sever electrical wires, and generally cause damage.
Pest mice are also known for being dirty disease vectors. Inside homes, mice spread contaminants off their bodies and via their fecal matter and urine. When cleaning up after these rodents, make sure you use the proper safety gear to avoid contamination.
Last but not least, mice sneak fleas and ticks into homes. These smaller parasitic pests come with their laundry list of dangerous diseases and are especially troublesome for indoor pets that lack flea or tick collars.
The Best Way To Prevent Mice
Your home has to have at least two factors to attract mice: accessibility to shelter and access to food. To reduce your home’s attractiveness to these pests, try these simple but effective prevention tips:
- Thoroughly inspect the exterior of your home for cracks and gaps wider than a nickel. Fill any openings you find using a caulking gun and some steel wool.
- Remove clutter and debris from your property.
- Eliminate sources of water build-up around your property.
- Repair leaky pipes and fixtures inside your home.
- Clear your gutters of debris and properly channel water away from your home.
- Fix broken window/door screens, weatherstripping, and door sweeps.
- Keep your home clean and do not neglect areas that are hard to reach, such as beneath furniture and large kitchen appliances.
- Repackage food that isn’t refrigerated into airtight, rodent-proof containers.
- Pick up your pets and clean out their food and water dishes after every meal.
How To Get Rid Of Mice
If mice do manage to get into your home this winter, don’t panic; the pros at Mike’s Pest and Termite Control are here to help! With our team at your side, mice won’t have any choice but to find a new place to live. We also offer detailed home pest control services designed to exclude mice through the colder months.
Contact our team today to learn more about our services and schedule a pest inspection for your Waldorf property.