House mice are considered to be one of the most troublesome household pests encountered daily by people around the world. Mouse pest control is the activity that describes the prevention and control of mice, rodents, or pests that may plague a homeowner. If a rodent infestation is left uninhibited, it is possible that mice or rats can contaminate food with their feces, which could result in food poisoning of anyone that consumes infected food. Additionally their natural tendency to chew and gnaw at various things can result in significant damage to property. Mice have been known to chew threw wires and cables… some even electrocute themselves in the process. All of this is dangerous as it is possible that a spark from a shorted wire could result in fire or other damage. A mouse infestation is not something to be taken lightly.
How to recognize a mouse infestation is not too difficult. If you notice mouse droppings or gnawing that wasn’t there last time you checked, you probably have some sort of rodent mouse problem. If you noticed paper that is shredded into strips or smaller bunched up in a corner or hidden area, this is likely a mouse nest. You will find feces or other mouse remains nearby or in the nest. Mice generally prefer grain foods like cereal or oats, but they will eat just about anything they can get their tiny paws on. They are a very nimble creature capable of fitting through very tiny holes (about the size of your pinkie) and they can run up a vertical surface if it is rough without much trouble. When mice reproduce they have around five babies per female mouse – this means that an unchecked mouse population can multiply rapidly. In their life time of approximately nine months to a year, an average female mouse can have five up to ten litters! That’s a potential of 50 new mice in a year from a single female!! The importance of proper mouse control has never been more evident.
To practice effective mouse control techniques, there are three generally accepted practices to implement – sanitization, mouse proofing, and eliminating mice. The first two are measures how to prevent mice while the last one is addressing the problem after the fact. Sanitization is an important step in mice control. While cleaning alone will not be sufficient to keep mice away, it will only help. It helps because you are reducing the potential number of food sources. You are eliminating places for mice to hide, build nests, and reproduce. Good sanitization will not eliminate all mice, but it will prevent mice from multiplying and growing their nests.
The most important and most effective form of mouse control is mouse proofing. You need to eliminate all access points. Remember that I said mice can fit through holes as small as a 1/4″ in diameter – the size of your pinkie finger. Food needs to be sealed in airtight containers. Mice can easily chew through the corner of a cereal box, so if you’re serious about mice prevention get yourself some airtight containers. To prevent access to the home, use caulk to effectively seal – focus around utility access points: water pipes, vents, electrical conduits, etc… Use metal such as steel wool to minimize access. Mice can easily chew through soft materials like plastic, wood, or rubber – they can’t chew through metal. Keep this in mind.
The final mouse control technique is exterminating mice that already exist. There are many techniques described on this website. From mouse traps to poison, home remedies to get rid of mice and mouse repellents. Explore some of these options and you will be well on your way to practicing adequate pest control against mice.
Best of luck!