Does One Mouse Mean an Infestation
Did you spot a mouse in your home or office? Here’s how you can tell the difference between a one-time occurrence and an infestation.
Did you know that 37% of American homeowners have seen a rodent in their home within the last 12 months? This means that it’s very likely that you have or will see one in your home!
While these critters can look cute, they can be quite a nuisance. Not only will they get into your food, but they’ll also chew up anything they get their hands on. Not to mention, mice can also carry serious diseases.
You might’ve seen one mouse in your house. But does that mean you have an infestation on your hands? Find mice control near you:
About Mice
To determine whether or not you have a mouse infestation, you need to learn a little more about mice first.
Mice (and most other rodents) are prey animals, which means they won’t come out into the open very often. They love to hide in little nooks and crannies, such as those created by piles of cardboard boxes and other items.
They’re also scavengers, which means they’re happy to eat anything they get their hands on. For those who aren’t on top of doing dishes or cleaning, they’re making their houses more attractive for rodents, which increases the chances of them moving in.
Generally, mice live about 2 years, which means they’ll reach adulthood quickly after birth. A female mouse can give birth to 5 to 10 litters a year, and each litter can have up to 14 pups!
Signs of Mice
As you can see, mice can quickly reproduce once they’ve moved into your house. So even if you’ve only seen one rodent, that population can quickly get out of hand.
A pregnant female that makes a home on your property can give birth to up to 14 pups. Those 14 can grow up fast and have their own litters. Before you know it, you can have hundreds of mice in your house within the year!
So while seeing one mouse doesn’t necessarily mean that you have an infestation, it can definitely turn into one before you know it.
Also, because mice are shy prey animals, it’s very likely that if you see one rodent, there are a few more in hiding.
The main thing is you need to be proactive if you think you have mice on your property. To be proactive, you need to know what signs to look out for. Here are some common ones.
Noises in Your Home
Mice love to hide in property walls. Because they’re nocturnal, you might hear noises more after the sun’s gone down. Hearing scuttling and squeaking in your walls is a huge indication that you probably an infestation on your hands.
You might also notice scuttling noises on your floors after you’ve turned all the lights off and are hanging out in bed. If you have pets, they might react to these noises.
Mouse Droppings
When mice come out to scavenge in your house, they’ll inevitably leave droppings around.
While mice will leave droppings anywhere, there’s a higher chance of spotting them around the perimeters of your rooms. This is because they hug the walls for safety as they navigate areas.
You might also find droppings in your pantries, especially if you have unsealed food in there.
Grease Marks Along Your Baseboards
As we’ve mentioned above, mice like to hug the walls when getting around. They often have greasy fur, so that grease will rub off on your baseboards. Keep a close eye out for this, as it’s also a big indication that you have at least one mouse in your home.
Chewed up Food Packages
These pests will stop at nothing to get to food. If you leave easily accessible food around (such as a cereal box), mice can easily chew through cardboard and plastic bags.
Inspect all your food carefully to see if there are any chew marks.
Damage to Your Property
As with all rodents, mice have teeth that constantly keep growing. To keep them short, they’ll chew on things; wood is one of their favorite things to chew on.
They’ll also chew on wires and other various things if they perceive them as obstacles. Get down on the floor and see if things like table legs have chew marks on them.
What to Do if You Think You Have Mice in Your House
Have you noticed any of the signs above? Then it’s vital that you take immediate action.
You need to have a mouse exterminator come inspect your property. Not only will they examine the perimeter outside, but they’ll also take a close look at each room in your house.
These professionals will determine the extent of your mouse infestation (if there is one) and identify key entry points they’re using to get inside. Their treatment plan will involve exterminating the existing mice and sealing up entry points to prevent future infestations.
They’ll also advise you on what to do in your home to make it less attractive for rodents. For example, they might suggest you store all food in glass or metal containers, and that you wash dishes immediately after eating.
Choose the Best Pest Control Company for an Infestation
If you think you have a mouse infestation, then you need to get quality pest control services. By choosing a reliable and reputable company, this ensures that the job will be done right on the first try. As a result, this can save you a lot of hassle and money.
So at the first sign of trouble, you need to call a professional. They’ll be able to send out a technician to evaluate your property and recommend the best course of action moving forward.
For a local pest control company, work with Pest Extinct. Get free pest control quotes in less than 60 seconds!
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