Now, I know what you're thinking.
"Just One mouse? That's no big deal." But if that one mouse has babies, that could be a big problem because that one mouse has turned into many house mice.
Call Lamp's Pest Solutions today to get rid of your rodent infestation before it worsens. Mice can be a big problem because they can carry diseases and parasites. They can also contaminate food with their droppings and urine. And if you have small children or pets in your home, they could be at risk if mice are present.
Rodent control is essential for your family's safety regardless of whether you do it or hire a pest control company to prevent mice.
What Do House Mice Look Like?
An adult mouse is usually 2.5-3.75" long, not counting the tail. Most mice weigh about 0.5-1.1 oz. The fur is smooth and usually a dusty gray on top, with a light gray or cream belly. The color can vary a lot from one mouse to another, or even from one area to another.
Mice have small eyes and big ears, and their incisors (front teeth) are ungrooved. Their feet are short and broad, and they have a dark, scaly tail that is semi-naked (not covered in fur). Adult mice leave droppings that are 1/8-1/4" long, rod-shaped, and pointed at both ends; cockroach droppings have ridges on them.
What to look for if you Suspect you have a mouse infestation In Your Lexington / Columbia SC Home.
Mouse Droppings
Mice droppings are usually found in cupboards and drawers, behind the refrigerator and stove, under the kitchen sink, and in other dark places. Rodent droppings can be up to 1/4 inch long and about 1/8 inch wide.
They can also leave urine trails between their nesting areas and other parts of the house where food is found.
Nesting Materials Mice Use
A house mouse likes to build their nests out of shredded paper, straw, or other fibrous materials. They will often chew through boxes and insulation to get to the nesting material.
Gnaw Marks left Behind
They often chew through boxes and insulation to get to the nesting material. Additionally, mice have very sharp incisors that can easily gnaw through wood, plastic, and lead. If you see evidence of gnaw marks there is a good chance you have mice.
Food Supply Mice Hide
It is common to find a cache of stored food under the cupboards, attic or other out-of-the-way places. A house mouse loves to store food in piles for a later day and since mice eat pet food, it's common to find a pile of pet food, dried fruit, and many cereal grains hidden in hidden places.
Characteristic Musky Odor Of Mice
Mice populations are known to have a characteristic musky odor. The smell is often intense and can be detected from some distance away. This particular odor is due to the fact that a house mouse excretes high levels of certain chemicals in their urine and feces. These chemicals, which include thiols and amines, are very potent and cause a distinctive smell in mice droppings.
Mice are not the only animals that produce these chemicals, however. Other rodents, such as rats and hamsters, also have a musky odor. This is because they all belong to the family Muridae, which is known for its high level of chemical production in mice.
The smell of mice can be a nuisance to people and pets. It can be difficult to get rid of the smell, and it may persist even after the mice have been removed.
There are other signs that point to mouse activity but the above will take care of most mice.
What Devices Are Available To get rid of Mice.
Classic Wooden Snap Traps.
The Classic wooden trap employs a simple mechanical design that quickly snaps the mouse's neck when it steps on the bait in order to get rid of mice on the device by catching just one mouse at a time.
These mouse traps are specifically made to kill mice one mouse at a time. The mousetrap is often baited with a little peanut butter or other fresh bait even little cotton balls may be used to attract the mouse which may want to use part of the cotton balls for building nests.
It is important when setting these for mice to properly place them away from household pets and other animals.
Multiple Capture Live Traps.
This type of trap uses a series of interconnected cages to trap several mice at once. they are typically bulky metal containers. These traps are not designed to kill a single house mouse but are designed to catch multiple house mice alive.
Poison Bait Stations.
Rodent baits are formulations of bait to kill mice. The bait is placed in bait stations which is another way to get rid of mice that allows for clean and effective rodent control. As the name suggests, these traps work by housing bait inside of a secure compartment that is specifically designed for mice to climb into. Once they are inside, the mouse will receive a lethal dose of poison along with its meal.
Many people prefer this type of trap because it does not require any additional setup or relocation after being placed. The bait station can remain in one spot and will kill any mice that enter it.
Glue Traps
Glue boards are one of the most controversial types of traps because they are considered inhumane. However, these traps are very effective in catching mice. They work by using a sticky adhesive to trap the mouse in place. The glue boards are often placed on a flat surface to catch one mouse or a lot of house mice with one tool.
The main downside to this type of trap is that it can cause a great deal of pain and suffering to the house mice. In addition, there is no way to release the mouse once it is caught, which means it will eventually die from either starvation or dehydration unless the house mice are released by applying vegetable oil on the glue boards.
Proper Placement Of Traps
No matter which type of trap you choose to for these unwelcome guests, it is important to place mouse traps in the right locations to be effective. Snap traps should be placed near walls, behind furniture, and in other tight spaces where mice are likely to travel. Multiple capture live traps should be set up along walls in infested rooms, while poison bait stations should be tucked into corners or near objects that mice are likely to climb on. Glue traps can be placed anywhere there is a suspected mouse problem.
What are the best Lures To Catch A House Mouse?
When baiting mouse traps, there are a few different options that will work well. Some of the most popular baits to eliminate a mouse population include bacon, peanut butter, and cheese. However, you can also use other foods such as bread, cereal, or fruit. When they are trying to build nests cotton balls work wonderfully. The most important way to control the mouse infestation is to bait traps with whatever the mice are currently eating. Remember, the best bait (non-poison) is to find out what they are eating now and use it to bait your traps.
Importance Of Sanitation in Rodent Control
Poor sanitation is often a prime reason for rodent infestations. Mice are a common problem in homes and businesses where sanitation is poor. In addition to being a nuisance, they can also be a health hazard. Mice can contaminate food with their mouse droppings, urine, and saliva. They can also carry diseases such as salmonella and hantavirus. There are several things you can do to help control the mouse infestation.
Cleaning Up
Don't leave food out overnight or unattended. This can be a problem in homes with young children, but it is especially important if you are storing animal feed for your pets. The mice will come looking for the food and contaminate it with their droppings and urine even if they don't actually eat any of it.
Store garbage in sealed containers. Always empty the containers regularly and keep them away from the house.
Food Packaging
Use metal canisters or glass jars to store food in your home in a pinch of resealable airtight containers. The vermin are not able to chew through the material, but containers such as a plastic bag and other paper/ plastic sealed packets are no match for the rodent's sharp teeth.
Fix any water leaks you find around your house. This includes drips from pipes and moisture problems in the foundation.
Clean up any food crumbs you find around your house, especially if they are located near where mice have been seen.
Exclusion The Best Form of Control.
The best way to deal with an infestation of mice is by exclusion. This means sealing off all possible entrances into the building but also preventing the mice from returning.
Aan ault house mouse only needs a hole the size of a dime to fit it's head through and once the head is through the hole the rest of the body easily fits through the hole and into your home.
Seal cracks -All entry Points such as any holes or cracks in your home where mice can enter. This includes holes around pipes and wires, as well as spaces between doors and door frames. Make sure all entry points are sealed. Typical entry points are where wire cables enter the home. Make sure all weather stripping is in good shape.
The best pest control is to keep house mice out in the first place so you never have to worry about how to get rid of mice.
Steel Wool To Get Rid Of Mice
Steel wool is often recommended but the steel rusts and can leave a big rusty stain on your home. a better resource is stainless steel wool or copper wool as they will not leave a nasty stain. these materials are stuffed into cracks and crevices to exclude mice from entering your home.
Sheet Metal To Keep Rodents Out Of Your Home
One way to keep small rodents out of your home is to use sheet metal. Small rodents, such as mice and rats, can easily chew through wood, so using a sheet of metal will prevent them from entering your home. You can buy sheet metal at most hardware stores, and it is relatively easy to install. Simply cut a piece of sheet metal to the size of your door or window and attach it using screws or nails. Make sure to seal all the seams so that the rodents cannot get in.
Expandable Foam is Not Recommended
One of the primary reasons why expandable foam is not recommended for mouse exclusion is because it's simply not effective. Mice are able to chew through the foam, which means that they can easily enter homes and other buildings that have been treated with this material. Additionally, the foam can also be pushed aside by mice, allowing them to create new openings into treated areas.
Wire Mesh To Keep A House Mouse Out.
They can enter a home through very small openings and quickly make themselves at home, often causing extensive damage in the process. One way to deter mice from entering your home is to install wire mesh around any openings that lead inside. The mesh will prevent the mice from entering while still allowing air and light to pass through. In addition, make sure to seal any cracks or holes in the foundation or walls of your home, as these are common spots for mice to crawl through.
Hire A Pest Control Company
Lamp's Pest Solutions
If you find you require a professional pest control company, reach out to some friends and seek their advice on a great exterminator like Lamp's Pest Solutions
If you live in the Lexington, South Carolina / Columbia SC area, feel free to reach out to the best exterminating company in the area, Lamp's Pest Solutions. The number is
803-414-0588
-