Mice Prevention Tips Every Homeowner Should Know About
It might seem like a ridiculous thing you only see on TV shows – the damsel in distress hopping up on a chair when a mouse scurries by. How many of us have done the same thing or know a friend who has? While they are tiny, mice seem to elicit fear in many of us, and rightly so. Not only are we uncomfortable having unwanted pests in our homes, but they can carry disease and wreak havoc inside our walls and cabinets, or on and around our belongings. Year-round pest control plans in Houston, TX can help keep the mice away and your feet planted on the floor.
Problems Mice Cause
Mice have an endless desire to gnaw and chew, and this means that they will chew your wires, woodwork, drywall, holiday decorations, clothing, insulation and more. They urinate and defecate wherever they roam, which can mean in your drawers, under your kitchen sink, in your pantry, in your winter clothes stored in the attic. Not only does this cause damage, but it can be harmful. Mice can carry diseases like salmonella and hantavirus and transmit them through their droppings.
Signs Of A Mouse Infestation
Clearly, the number one sign that you have a mouse infestation in your Houston home is spotting an actual mouse. Where there is one, there are likely more. You may also see their droppings, black in color and sometimes mistaken for a poppy seed, pepper flake, or burnt crumb. Additionally, you may notice torn-apart insulation, holes in stored clothing, damaged or chewed wires, walls, and fixtures. Lastly, you might hear mice scurrying through your walls.
Preventing Mice
Eliminating food sources is a big way to prevent mice from taking up residence in your home, without food they are unable to survive. Sealing up all your food in plastic containers, keeping counters clean, and not leaving pet food out can help. Making sure your home is free from cracks, holes, and openings that mice can squeeze through is important. Mice can fit in an opening the size of a dime, so this is a time-consuming process.
How To Keep Mice In Houston At Bay
Mice are some of the peskiest invaders for Houston property owners. They can slip through very small openings and go undetected for extended periods of time. In order to keep them away, try these tips:
- Close off points of entry. The best place to start with mice is addressing all of the ways that they can get inside a property. This means applying steel wool, liquid foam, or caulk to openings in foundations. It also requires keeping doors, garages, and windows closed unless they are being monitored.
- Fix moisture issues. One of the reasons that mice get attracted to properties is because of leaks, so be sure to fix any troublesome gutters and faucets. It’s also crucial to address damp attics, basements, and crawl spaces, as these are all very enticing to mice.
- Keep a clean property. Mice are also on the search for food and they aren’t fussy. To reduce attraction, be diligent about trash removal and try to clean on a routine basis. This should include sweeping up crumbs, disinfecting countertops, and vacuuming carpets.
- Call the pros. In order to have peace of mind against mice, consider working with a pest expert. These services come with extensive training and the highest quality products on the market.
For more information on mouse control, call Modern Pest Control today.
When You Need Professional Help
If you spot signs of mice, you’ll want to get rid of them right away to avoid damage and prevent the spread of disease. The professionals at Modern Pest Control can help! We will come to your home and evaluate your rodent situation while putting a pest control plan in place that is best suited to your problem. If you want to avoid mice and other rodents altogether, it’s wise to have a year-round pest control plan to prevent them from being a problem in the first place. Modern Pest Control will eliminate and prevent mice and rodents in your Houston, TX home.