When mice enter your home, your first thought is how you should get rid of them. Getting these rodents out of your home as soon as possible is one task you should prioritize. Although mice look small and cute, they can cause a lot of trouble.
They know how to sneak around, fit through tight spaces, and reproduce within weeks. These pests can also cause damage to your home, so it’s better to get them out of your home sooner rather than later.
What Attracts Mice?
Three factors attract mice into Houston homes: food, water, and shelter. Mice choose shelter closest to a reliable food source, preferably with little human contact. Examples of shelter they prefer include garages, attics, and walls.
Mouse Prevention Tips
Here are some ways to keep mice away when monitoring your home:
- Clear clutter to prevent them from hiding or nesting.
- Seal open cracks and holes. Mice can fit through holes as small as a dime.
- Store food in airtight containers and clean up messes.
- Repair leaking pipes or fixtures that provide water sources.
- Inspect door sweeps/screens to prevent unnoticed entry.
Signs of a Mouse Problem
Mouse droppings measure about ¼ of an inch long, resembling dark brown rice grains. They accumulate near exposed holes or food cabinets. Other signs of mice include grease smears on walls or scattered urine pillars with musky, ammonia-like odors.
They make their nests in cracks or holes in walls, in cabinets, and behind appliances. Once inside the wall, mice will shred your home’s insulation for nesting material. Mice use this along with fabric, paper, and other materials to make their nests.
You might also hear scratching noises within your home’s walls at dawn or dusk. If you spot a mouse running in broad daylight, you can assume there are more. Other signs you should look for include gnaw marks on your walls, wiring, or furniture.
Troubles Caused by Mice
Despite their small size, mice can cause big problems. These pests carry germs that can trigger respiratory problems. They can also spread diseases, such as:
- Hantavirus
- Leptospirosis
- Choriomeningitis
- Salmonellosis
- Plague
Some of these diseases spread when mice bring infected ticks or fleas into your home, amplifying the number of pests you’ll need to remove.
Mice can cause structural damage to your furniture, floors, walls, and insulation. They also chew through wiring, creating fire hazards when open wires short circuit.
The Quickest Way to Get Rid of Mice in Your Houston Home
The fastest and most efficient way to get rid of a mice infestation is through professional Houston pest control companies. They can help you remove them and provide insight on preventing future infestations.
You can try to remove mice yourself with store-bought traps. You can use snap traps, electric traps, or live traps. This cost-effective pest management solution is excellent when dealing with smaller infestations.
Placement
Most experts recommend placing traps in house locations with the most rodent activity, including crawl spaces or attics. Putting them near walls is another strategy to consider. Mice tend to stay near walls for an increased sense of security.
Bait
Unlike pieces of cheese, peanut butter sticks to the surface of the trap, making it hard to remove without setting off the trap. The strong scent also entices them toward the bait.
Trap Preparation
Wear disposable gloves to hide your scent. House mice have a strong sense of smell and will avoid traps with a strong human smell. Set as many traps as necessary to handle your infestation, placing them several feet apart.
Disposal
Be sure to check your traps often. Remove dead mice from your traps immediately to avoid attracting more pests. Use gloves to prevent the spread of disease and throw the mouse away in a sealed plastic bag.
Professional Mice Removal and Control
If you have a mouse infestation, let one of our certified pest professionals handle it for you. At Stampede Pest Control, our specialized team inspects your property and constructs a pest control plan to help you get rid of mice quickly and effectively.
We offer residential and commercial pest management services throughout the greater Houston area. Call us today to receive a free estimate.