It can be hard to know which animals you should allow inside your home. Obviously, adopting a cat or dog from a local breeder is no problem. Bringing the raccoons that raid your trash every night inside, however, is a different story. The question is, what is the difference between a good and bad pet? Interestingly enough, some animals are both. Mice are a great example of this. These furry rodents can either be comforting, healing, and helpful pets, or annoying, dangerous, and destructive pests. To help you keep the wrong kinds of mice out of your New Haven County home, here are a few tips to consider.
The Common House Mouse
There are many different species of mice across the United States known for getting into homes, but none are as common as the house mouse. This brown to gray colored rodent is best identified by its large ears, red or black eyes, five to eight-inch body, and long, naked tail. Inside homes, house mice gravitate towards secluded areas where they can build their nests. Mouse nests are most often made from torn up insulation, clothing, or other fabrics found around homes.
The Problems Mice Cause
One of the biggest differences between pet mice and pest mice is cleanliness. Pet mice are kept in clean cages and only fed bacteria-free food. Pest mice, on the other hand, spend the majority of their lives around filth and will eat anything regardless of its expiration date. This type of behavior causes pest mice to pick up a variety of disease-causing organisms.
Here are just a few diseases mice carry and spread:
- Salmonellosis
- Hantavirus
- Plague
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis
- Tularemia
In addition to spreading disease, mice are also incredibly destructive. Just like cats have to scratch things to keep their claws down, mice have to constantly gnaw on things around them to file down their teeth. You have probably heard of mice chewing holes through walls, but did you know these pests also chew through or on utility piping and electrical wiring?
Some Great Ways To Prevent Mice
The first step to preventing mice is understanding why and how they invade. The reason mice invade homes is because they feel more comfortable inside. The temperature is regulated, food is easily accessible, and water is literally flowing all around them. To get inside, these pests use gaps, cracks, openings, and other weaknesses in a home’s exterior.
Here are a few practical ways to reduce attractants and seal off entry points around your New Haven County property:
- Keep your landscaping well maintained.
- Reduce clutter and eliminate debris around your property.
- Clean out and keep storage areas organized
- Install metal screens over spouts, open-ended utility pipes, and vents leading out of your home.
- Use a caulking gun, in combination with some steel wool, to fill in holes, cracks, and openings in your home’s exterior foundation.
- Thoroughly clean your home at least once a week.
- Invest in rodent-proof trash cans.
- Store leftover foods inside durable containers.
The Absolute Best Way To Handle Mice
There is only one way to guarantee mice stay out of your home, and that is with the help of a professional. At Rescue 1 Pest & Termite Control, we pride ourselves on our advanced rodent control strategies. Whether you have an active infestation that you want handled quick or are looking for a long term solution to keep mice away from your property, we have your answer here.
Contact us by phone or through our website today for any questions you have or to schedule a service visit for your New Haven County home. Learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control offerings.