Keeping mice away from your premises can be a real struggle. These resilient creatures have slender and narrow bodies that enable them to squeeze into tiny cracks, gaps, and holes and get inside your home. Their ability to climb and jump gives them access to many high spaces, such as cabinets and countertops.
So, how high can mice jump, and what measures can you take to keep these pesky critters out of your home? Keep reading to learn more!
Facts About Mice You Should Know
Mice typically forage for food. They have a sharp sense of smell which they rely on to locate it. The presence of easily available food sources in your home can make it potentially appealing to mice, drawing them into your home in large numbers.
Most mice species have tails longer than the body, which plays a vital role in their climbing ability. Longer tails help maintain balance, and their sharp claws allow them to grip uneven or rough surfaces.
Accordingly, mice can climb horizontal and vertical surfaces, including concrete, drywall, bricks, and even metal siding.
How High Can Mice Jump?
While most people tend to think about mice scurrying around and nesting underground, a fascinating fact about these critters is their incredible ability to jump and leap. So, how high can mice jump? That might shock many, but on average, mice can jump over a foot (13 inches) from the ground from a standstill and even higher than two feet (24 inches) horizontally with a running start.
Even the species with the worst jumping potential can launch itself 10 inches high, which is quite astonishing considering the small size of the creatures. Accordingly, these agile animals can access areas of your house that you never imagined seeking food and shelter, such as shelves, kitchen cabinets and countertops, and even your bed.
Their extraordinary jumping ability also means that mice can enter your home by finding openings other than those at ground level but higher up the structure, such as the roof.
The jumping mouse is known for the impressive distances it can cover in a single jump. Also known as the kangaroo mouse, as it hops like a kangaroo, the species can leap up to 13 feet using its long hind legs and long tail when perceiving a threat. Fortunately, these are not very common in Texas.
Even though this information is fascinating, you shouldn’t underestimate where mice can nest in your home. Take appropriate measures to keep you and your family safe from the harmful bacteria mice can drag through your living spaces.
How to Keep the Mice Away?
The following are some of the most effective measures to keep mice away from your home:
Maintain Cleanliness
Clean up crumbs and spills immediately, clean dirty dishes, and empty pet feed food bowls. Remove garbage every night and place it in a trash can with a tight-fitting lid. Eliminate stacks of old or unused papers, clothing, and cardboard boxes to avoid potential hiding places that serve as nesting spots for mice.
Seal All Entry Points
It is crucial to block entryways. Take a walk around your home’s exterior and look for tiny access points, sealing them using caulk or steel wool. You can close gaps under the doors by installing door sweeps and around utility lines and the attic.
Use Natural Repellants
Essential oils like peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus, and citronella are repulsive to mice. Chemicals like ammonia are also effective deterrents as it exudes the scent of predators like cats. At Stampede Pest Control, we offer organic pest control options which can help deter these pests while ensuring your home stays as natural as possible.
Lay Out Traps
Use traditional traps and baits or no-kill catch-and-release mouse traps. After trapping the mice using bait, you can release the mouse outdoors somewhere far away from your home.
Bothered by Mice? Get Rid of Them Today!
The presence of mice in your home extends far beyond a minor nuisance; they can wreak havoc on your home by gnawing on furniture, insulation, or wiring, resulting in potential structural damage and costly repairs.
Mice can also spread life-threatening diseases such as hantavirus, leptospirosis, salmonellosis, and rat bite fever.
Be proactive and eliminate these pests from your home by identifying the early signs. These might include a foul odor in hidden areas, gnaw marks on food packaging or other household items, a squeaking or scurrying noise at night, granular-shaped droppings, and urine trails.
If you spot any of these signs, call Stampede Pest Control to keep these pests out of your property for good!