Mice Infestation and Extermination During the Winter
Since mice don’t hibernate during the winter, this means they’ll primarily be spending the colder months of the year looking for food and shelter. This makes even the cleanest homes vulnerable. During this time, it’s especially important to spot the signs of mice infestation and take steps to eliminate them.
Mouse Droppings and Urine
Mice can produce as many as an astounding 50 – 75 droppings a night. One piece of excrement is about 1/4 of an inch long, tapered at the ends, and dark-colored. If your home is harboring mice, you’ll see these dropping scattered about, but especially in areas where mice have been nesting or eating.
Mouse urine has a powerful smell due to the ammonia content. The odor increases as you move closer to where the mice have been living or feeding frequently. Over time, you may notice “urine pillars.” These form when urine, oil from the mice’s bodies, and dirt accumulate into mounds about a 1/2 wide and 2 inches high.
Paw Prints, Grease Smears, Scratching Sounds, and Squeaking
If you’re noticing mouse tracks or tail marks in the dust, or you’re seeing dark-colored streaks along walls and floors, these are all signs of mice activity. The dark smears are caused by dirt and oil from the mice’s skin and fur as they rub against surfaces. You may even hear scratching or squeaking coming from inside walls, crawl spaces, under floors, or other hiding places.
How to Eliminate Mice for Good
Mice multiply rapidly, so if you’ve seen one (or its evidence), you’ll soon see many more. These rodents can not only damage your home but pose serious health issues. Among these are Hantavirus, Salmonella poisoning, Rat-bite Fever (which can be spread by any infected rodent, not only rats), and the Bubonic Plague — yes, even in the twenty-first century! Have a qualified exterminator inspect your property. Your pest control specialist will not only eliminate the mouse population inside your home, but he or she will also advise you on how to properly seal your house so that reinfestation won’t occur. Contact Home Run Pest Control to learn more about mice extermination.