Mice may be small, but they bring big problems. With their ever-growing front teeth, they constantly chew household items causing costly damage and electrical fire risks by munching on wires.
They are also linked to a handful of diseases and are known to carry parasites like lice and fleas. If you see a mouse in your home, does it indicate a mouse infestation? First, let’s identify what a mouse is.
How To Identify a Mouse
Mice are small rodents with round ears and range from light gray to dark brown in color. Their average body size is about three inches, with varying tail lengths.
House mice are prevalent in urban areas, but you may encounter deer mice if you live near a rural area. Any unexpected rodent activities are cause for concern.
House mice can live up to three years in your home. They will chew through wires, paper, and insulation to build a nest. They tend to be found in the kitchen.
It is imperative to get the infestation under control to avoid bigger issues.
Signs You May Have More Mice in Your Home
Mice reproduce incredibly quickly. They usually stay hidden, but you can watch out for these common signs of mice:
- Scratching or sprinting sound
- Pungent smell
- Scratch or gnaw marks
- Mouse droppings
- Grease marks
- Urine pillars
- Mouse litter inside appliances or empty cardboard boxes
If you see a mouse in your home, there’s a high chance there are more. If left untreated, it can quickly turn into an infestation. Call the experts at Stampede Pest Control as soon as you notice any signs. Our experts can eliminate rodents from your Houston home quickly and safely.
Why Are Mice a Problem?
Mice tend to congregate in the trash, dumpsters, and landfills. From those places, different pathogens make their way into your home. If mice touch surfaces or food items, they can contaminate the surface.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mice carry hantavirus, salmonella, and more. Hantavirus causes disabilities as it attacks the heart, lungs, and kidneys. This infection results in severe illness and other harmful medical conditions.
A report from a study on mice and cancer states that the mouse mammary tumor virus likely has a role in forms of human breast cancer. This can afflict dense breast tissue and dense breasts with cancerous lumps, pits, and other issues.
A well-established infestation is challenging to get rid of and needs professional extermination.
Ways To Keep Mice Out of Your Houston Home
There are a few ways to prevent mouse infestations. For example, mice can be repelled by high-frequency sound waves. There are a variety of systems you can use to keep mice out and keep your home safe.
One way to help deter mice is to rearrange your landscaping and lawn decorations and move storage areas. Mice will become disoriented and likely leave. This can be tiring and time-consuming.
You can also try traps and baits. They are easy to set up and give fast results. It may be dangerous for other pets and children, and sometimes many need to be set up to catch just one mouse.
The good news is that you do not have to keep them out yourself. We at Stampede Pest Control offer professional, dependable, effective services for complete mouse and rodent control in Houston and surrounding areas.