The attic is warm, safe, and dry–making it a great place for mice to hang out. When mice nest in the attic, it is more difficult to spot an infestation.
Mice can cause extensive damage to your home. From chewing on your valuable items to transmitting various harmful pathogens, mice in the attic can wreak havoc on your home.
Keep reading to learn about getting rid of these pests for good!
Signs You Have Mice
There are a few telltale signs of mice in your home:
- A clawing, squeaking, gnawing, or running sound, especially at night.
- Spotting small, granular shaped dark colored droppings.
- A strong, musky, ammonia-like odor.
- Mouse nests and pups
- Oily smears or rub markings on surfaces like walls or baseboards
- Sudden electrical shortages or outages due to damaged wires
Why Are Mice a Problem?
Mice cause a litany of problems and can spread up to 35 diseases, including Lyme Disease, Salmonella, Hantavirus, and Histoplasmosis. They may also increase the severity of cardiovascular diseases, asthma, and allergies.
Mice can also cause damage to your home, such as:
- Ripping valuable household materials for nests.
- Gnawing on electrical wires
- Gnawing through air ducts and pipes in your attic.
- Chewing through the roof, framing, and siding, damaging the structure of your home
5 Steps to Get Mice Out of Your Attic
If you notice mice in your attic, you can take some steps to eliminate these pests:
Insulation Removal & Replacement
Insulation removal will help you detect hidden entry points mice use to enter your home. It will also eliminate any contaminants or waste mice leave behind.
Rodents use their urine to mark their territory and help find their way home. Removing insulation and replacing it will eliminate their scent trails and keep them from coming back.
Air Sealing
Air sealing refers to blocking air leaks in your house through gaps and cracks using tools like spray foam, rigid foam board, or foam covers.
Infestation Control
Bait stations may help control a rodent infestation. Put baits in high activity spots, like along rafters. Check the bait boxes regularly to ensure they don’t need to be reset. Continue to add fresh bait until you no longer notice rodent activity.
Once you eliminate the mice, remain proactive to prevent mice from returning to your attic. Use natural repellants, like peppermint or ammonia, to deter mice from returning.
Rodent Proofing: Identifying & Eliminating Entry Points
Mice can enter holes as narrow as ¼ to ½ inch in diameter, about the size of a dime. Block all potential access pathways like gaps, cracks, and crevices using materials like cement, wire mesh, or steel wool. Target the following areas:
- Crawlspace and basement
- Attic
- Vents
- Gutters
- Vinyl siding
- Structure’s foundation
- Roof
How Can You Protect Your Belongings From Mice?
Homeowners often use attics to store their beloved and valuable items. Here is how you can protect your items from rodents in Houston:
Holiday Decorations
Candies and other decorative edibles shouldn’t be stored in the attic.
Family Keepsakes
Mice may damage family keepsakes, so avoid storing them in the attic.
Furniture
Mice love to nibble on wooden furniture. Store furniture in a storage unit instead of your attic.
Houseware
Mice chew through cardboard boxes to make their nests, so store houseware in plastic containers.
Insulation
Rodents will eat through insulation, so have a professional check and seal your insulation.
Linens and Clothing
Store linen and clothing in bins with tight-fitting lids. Mice may chew and shred your soft items.
Luggage
Mice will gnaw on your luggage, so store suitcases in heavy-duty containers.
Toys
Store plush toys in closed containers to prevent mice from shredding them.
Ultimately, the best protection is to hire professionals to get rid of mice once and for all.