If your home is infested by mice, you will not only experience health issues but they will also damage your property. They chew away wires, cables, and other belongings causing a risk of fire hazards. Besides this, they are also a nuisance and create filth in the house. You must take quick action to eliminate mice from your property for the safety of your health and property. But how to know if mice are there in your house? This article will help you learn about the signs of mouse infestation in the house. Read on to understand in detail.
The longer the mice stay in your house, the more severe the effects will be. But how to spot this annoying pest before it is too late? Here are some warning signs that indicate that mice are there in your house.
Gnaw Marks on Objects
If you see so many tiny holes everywhere in your house, then the mouse is sure to blame. They can eat away anything that comes into their sight. To keep their teeth sharp, they continuously chew on clothes, paper, bags, wires, and cables. Your food items in packages are also not safe if rats are there in the house. They can also chew on wooden items, furniture, and other sturdy items in your house. Tiny holes on your pet food bags also confirm mouse presence in the house. So, gnawing marks on your belongings are a clear indication of mouse infestation.
Small Droppings Everywhere
Mouse droppings around your pantry, refrigerator, cabinets, bins, cupboards, and more are a clear indication that mice have invaded your home. You will notice small black dots littered around your house. You can also spot droppings on windows and door edges, enclosed spaces, inside boxes, and suitcases. Make sure your children and pets do not accidentally consume it as it will make them sick.
Squeaking Sounds
If you notice squeaking and scratching sounds on walls, particularly at night, it’s time to throw mice out of your house. They make their nests in the cracks and crevices on the walls and use openings to travel through them so that you do not detect them easily. You might also hear them scurrying beneath the floor. If things go bump in your house, then surely mice are there.
Greasy Stains
You can also spot tiny grease-like stains around crevices and openings in your house. The grease is caused by a mixture of dirt and oil on their fur. When mice squeeze through cracks and holes, they leave these spots which will tell you where the mouse went. Note how big the stains are. If you see a bigger mark, then it is a clear indication that you have a rat problem in your house.
Foul Smell
Having an unusual smell in your house is also a sign of mouse infestation in your house. Mice urinate frequently in the same spot around food storage creating mounds of dirt and grease. Use a fluorescent or black light to find pools of mice urine in the house.
Weird Behavior of Your Pets
If your cat or dog starts behaving differently, then mice might be the reason behind it. This happens more when mice have recently entered your house. Pets tend to hear sounds that we humans cannot catch. If you see your pet pawing in the areas in which it had no interest previously, take a flashlight and examine the area.
How to Prevent Mice from Entering Your Home
Preventing mice from entering your home is easier than dealing with a full-blown infestation. Follow the tips below to stop them from invading your home.
Block Entry Points
Mice can enter your home from many gaps and cracks as they can squeeze through the tiniest of holes. Inspect your home thoroughly and if you find gaps and cracks, fix them quickly with appropriate material. Use weatherstripping below the entrances and install mesh screens on doors and windows.
Remove Food Sources
If you store cereals and food items in plastic and paper bags, then you are inviting mice to your house. Store food in air-tight jars and do not keep the leftovers in the open. Keep them in closed containers or the refrigerator. Wipe off countertops to remove spilled food crumbs from there. Store garbage in bins that have tight lids on them and dispose it of regularly.
Maintain Your Garden
Mice can enter your home through trees and branches that are close to the building. Trim the shrubs and bushes frequently so they could not use them as bridges. Make sure the vegetation is at a distance from the foundation. Mow your garden regularly to prevent mice from burrowing. This will also help to remove their hiding spots.
Set Traps and Baits
If you suspect any signs of mice in your house, set traps. Use a bait (bread or fruit) to lure them. They become attracted to the bait and get trapped. Make sure to use a lethal method to trap them. Once they are trapped, release them far away from your house.
Summing Up
Now you must be aware of the warning signs of mice infestation and how to prevent them. Early detection will save your property from extensive damage. Though it may be challenging, you can keep mice at bay with the above-mentioned preventive methods. If you have a severe mice infestation in your house, book reliable pest control services in Mumbai and make your home completely mice-free. They will assess the situation and provide you with a complete solution to your mice problem.
