Quickly identifying the signs of a mouse infestation is crucial. Noticing the sign of one mouse usually means there are many mice.
Mice reproduce at an astounding rate. A single female produces between five and 10 litters annually. Each brood can contain up to 12 young, but the average litter size hovers around five or six babies. Young mice grow quickly and usually only need three weeks before they’re fully weaned from their mothers. The rodents achieve sexual maturity after five to seven weeks starting the process again.
Identify the Signs of a Mouse Infestation
Homeowners must know the signs of an infestation as soon as possible. Otherwise, the problem will become more severe. Common signs of an infestation include the following:
- Feces and urine trails that look like mini runways
- Scratching noises, usually at night
- Gnaw marks on furniture, decor, or house structure
- Foul odors from walls, ceilings, or hidden spaces
- Nests or scattering of nesting materials
- Smudges of floors, baseboards, walls, appliances
- Tiny footprints in dust or grease
- Strange pet behavior
Most Common Places to Find Evidence of Mice
Attics
Garages
Mouse droppings in the garage and mouse entry under the garage door. Photos courtesy of Truech Wildlife Service in Charlotte, NC
Behind Furniture
In the Kitchen in Cupboards, the Pantry and Behind Appliances
Attics
How Do Mice Get In?
A visual guide to the most common mouse entry points.
Foundation vent in crawlspace
Mice found this gap in a foundation vent to get inside a crawl space.
Utilities
Mice and rats can take advantage of the smallest gap where utilities like HVAC and plumbing stacks.
Garage Door
Mice can slip through a space the size of a dime. Garage doors that don't shut all the way or with deteriorating weather stripping allow an easy place for mice to slip inside.
Gutters, Vents, Rooflines
Mice are excellent climbers and can squeeze through small gaps. They can climb up gutters, siding, or trees close to your house. On the roof, they can find access points in roof vents, fascia boards, and loose soffits.
How to Keep Mice Out
Developing a proactive plan rather than waiting to defend your home is a good idea. There are easy and effective prevention strategies you can use to ensure you do not have a mice infestation, like the following:
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Storing food properly in mouse-proof containers prevents rodents from accessing and destroying pantry items.
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Keeping floors and counters free of food, including crumbs, eliminates a food source.
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Removing clutter removes places where mice build nests and nesting materials. Do this inside and outside your home.
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Seal all cracks and holes mice can use as entry points into your home. This may require hiring a professional who has training in identifying access points. They can be very hard to see with an untrained eye. Areas to seal must also include the space around cables and lines that run from outside to inside, around pipes leading to appliances, and around windows and doors.
Call Trutech In to Get Mice Out
Hiring a professional mouse control experts at Trutech Wildlife Service offers you and your family advantages that far outweigh trying to get rid of a mouse infestation yourself. Advantages include expertise, experience, assessment and custom solutions, integrated pest management strategies, safety, compliance, and long-term solutions.
The experts at Trutech have extensive training in mice behaviors and fast mouse control. They can identify which mouse species is on your property. Then, they create a specific plan and implement eradication strategies and exclusions to prevent future mouse problems.
All photos courtesy of the wildlife control team serving Charlotte, Mooresville, Hickory, and Boone, NC.
