Mice Infestations: 6 Facts About Rodent Removal Services

Many homeowners complain about the need for mice removal services. This is not surprising, considering that house mice are considered the most common mammal in the United States and are the enemy of exterminators everywhere.

Here are some facts about mice removal:

1. One might think their home is secure against pests, but mice can fit through holes as small as a dime. This makes preventing infestations difficult, which is why contacting a skilled pest removal service is so important.
2. Mice removal becomes especially important for pest exterminators as Winter temperatures drive rodents into homes in search of shelter and food.
3. There are some obvious signs of a mice infestation, such as finding mouse droppings or unexplained holes in fabrics, clothes, insulation, and even food containers. The amount of food destroyed by rodents each year is enough to feed over 200 million people.
4. Mice are cute, but they’re not harmless. Rodents can spread fatal diseases, such as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. According to the Center for Disease Control, HPS can be caught by inhaling dust that’s contaminated with mouse droppings or urine, resulting in a severe, even fatal, respiratory infection. The CDC goes on to warn that “rodent infestation in and around the home remains the primary risk for hantavirus exposure.” If you believe you have an infestation, contact a pest control expert right away.
5. Once the home has been thoroughly inspected, an exterminator will then utilize a variety of mice removal methods. These techniques include using traps, glue boards, and poisons. In addition to the work the mice exterminators do, it’s up to you to maintain good sanitation around your house and yard. Good sanitation is more than just keeping things clean, but includes eliminating the things these pests need to survive; in this case, it’s sources of food, water, and shelter.
6. Inform your pest removal service if you have children or pets in the house so that they can avoid using toxic chemicals. If you do have children or pets at home, talk with your mice removal expert about safer methods of extermination. The Environmental Protection Agency discusses mice removal poisons and the different types of ready-to-use bait stations, which are the safest method if used as directed. This is because ready-to-use bait stations have the poison sealed inside a small trap, with an opening through which only a mouse could squeeze, preventing young children, pets, and wildlife from having access to the bait.

A good exterminator won’t just remove pests but will provide advice on how to prevent them from returning. Since a mouse can get into a gap the size of your index finger, there’s a lot of area to examine, including your house’s foundation, between siding, and in crawl spaces. They’ll find the weak spots around your house that mice can squeeze in and seal all of these tiny crack and crevices.