Whether you live in a residential Omaha neighborhood or in a farmhouse outside the city, chances are, you'll have a mouse problem sooner or later. While it may be easy to think of mice as cute, furry TV characters that just annoy the housecat and steal blocks of cheese, this is far from the truth. Mice can be a major problem for your home and family. Before mice become an issue, read up on these three things every Omahan should know about mice.
1. Issues Caused By a Mouse Infestation
A mouse infestation can bring a number of issues to your Omaha home. Mice can cause serious damage, as they chew constantly, both to find food sources and to keep their teeth sharp and healthy. They will chew through wood, drywall, PVC lead pipes, and even wires. Mice are known to eat through live electrical wires, leading to house fires.
If the property damage isn’t bad enough, mice also bring a variety of health issues. There are over 35 diseases that are associated with mice. Their urine and feces can transmit diseases such as hantavirus, salmonella, and bubonic plague, among others. They can also trigger allergy issues in people who are sensitive.
2. How To Prevent A Mouse Infestation
No homeowner wants to deal with all the issues that come from a mouse infestation. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to prevent mice from getting into your home:
- Use door sweeps on exterior doors and repair window screens that may be damaged.
- Use screens to cover HVAC vents and chimney openings.
- Seal holes and cracks on the exterior of your home.
- Store food in airtight containers.
- Regularly throw away garbage in sealed bags.
- Keep firewood stored away from your home.
- Trim bushes and shrubs near your home that may provide access or shelter to mice.
- Eliminate areas of excess moisture like clogged drains and leaking pipes.
3. Signs Of A Mouse Infestation
Mice breed quickly. A house mouse can give birth to up to six babies every three weeks. At that rate, a few mice can turn into a massive problem very quickly, and it is important that you recognize the signs of mice in your home before this happens:
- Spotting mouse feces is the first one of the first signs of mice in your home. These droppings are usually about a quarter-inch long and are usually found in food storage areas like cabinets and pantries. Droppings are also frequently found under sinks, inside boxes, in unused drawers, and in other dark, quiet areas of your house.
- Since mice are constantly chewing, it is a matter of time before gnaw marks become visible. Usually, these are seen on wood like baseboards and the bottom of doors. You may also notice sawdust in unexpected areas from mice gnawing.
- Mice nest in dark, unused corners of your home. They will use shredded paper, cotton, cloth, and even insulation as nesting material. If you see these items around your home, you may have a mouse problem.
- Mice hide in the empty spaces of walls and in the attic. If you hear strange noises coming from your walls or in your ceiling, it is likely mice running from their nest to find food.
How To Resolve A Mouse Infestation
The most efficient way to deal with a mouse infestation is to call the professional technicians at Beeline Pest Control and let us handle it. Traps and poisons are helpful but don’t get to the root of the problem. Our trained pest control specialists will implement a multi-step process to not only eliminate the current mouse infestation but also keep your home and family protected in the future.
We start by inspecting your home for entry points that mice are using to get into your home. Then we will place bait stations inside and outside your home and apply a repellent around the exterior of your home to keep mice out. Our year-round maintenance plan keeps the repellent renewed, giving your home nonstop protection.