While there are plenty of cutesy kid movies starring them, in the real world, mice are not so adorable. They spread disease, ruin food stores, destroy property, and drive homeowners insane. What’s worse, over the centuries, Raleigh's urban mice have become more and more dependent on humans. They use our pantries for food, our plumbing for water, and our homes for shelter and warmth – meaning most Raleigh property owners will probably have to deal with them at some point.
Here in Raleigh, we’ve got our fair share of mice – especially house mice invading our homes. Let’s go through why they’re so harmful, how you can prevent rodents, and what to do if you wind up with an infestation.
Home Invaders and Pantry Raiders
Mice are one of the worst pests to get into your home because they leave droppings everywhere they scurry, they contaminate surfaces and food with their feet and shed hairs, they shred fabrics and insulation to make nests, and they chew through all kinds of materials. The chewing is one of the reasons mice are so destructive, and they do it constantly. Not only do they do it to access nesting sites and stored food, but they have to continually gnaw on everything they can get their paws on to grind down their incessantly growing teeth. They can chew straight through some pretty surprising things – like plumbing pipes, electrical wiring, and even hard plastics. The chewing is also why they’re so hard to prevent. Mice can chomp straight through a lot of barriers meant to keep them out.
These pests are also ridden with many pests of their own, from parasites like worms and fleas to pathogens like bacterial and viral infections. Mice carry dozens of diseases into your home when they infest it, posing a danger to the health of your family and your pets.
Prevention Tips
Since mice are so tough to keep out once they’ve decided they want in, it’s better to keep them from wanting in to begin with. You can do this by eliminating resources, or at least by making them harder to get in your home than elsewhere. Here are a few tips:
Store pantry foods in hard, airtight containers to reduce their smells and accessibility. This is especially important for mice’s favorite foods like seeds and grains.
Limit water access by fixing plumbing leaks, unclogging gutters and drains, and removing outdoor pet water bowls.
Don’t leave things that could serve as nesting materials – fabrics, plush toys, patio furniture cushions, etc. – lying around outside.
Even though mice are voracious chewers, there are still things you can do to create physical barriers to their entry:
Use metal rodent screens to cover condensation outlets.
Ensure all ventilation holes are covered completely with properly fitting vent covers.
Repair damage like cracks or holes in your home’s siding and foundation. Never assume holes are too small for mice – they can squeeze into some tight places.
Get a cat or a dog. Mice are less likely to be interested in homes occupied by their natural predators.
What To Do If Your Property Gets Infested
Unfortunately, mice are wily little critters, and they can often get around even the strictest prevention measures. If that happens, they’re a nightmare to get rid of. Snap traps don’t do anything but make room for more mice, and poisons can be dangerous to small children and pets alike. The best thing to do is call the professionals at Pest & Termite Consultants!
Here at Pest & Termite Consultants, we’ve got the tools and the know-how to kick the mice to the curb for good. We’ve got almost three decades of experience in the pest control industry, and our residential and commercial programs are the highest value around because we only perform the services you really need, we don’t try to upsell you on services you don’t need. If you’re ready to say adios to the rodents in your home, give us a call at (919) 870-8003 or visit our contact page to schedule service today.