Have you noticed some strange scratching sounds when you are sitting quietly in your home at night? If they appear to be coming from behind a partition wall, above your head or below your feet, you may have a mouse infestation. How can you make sure of your suspicions, and what should you do next in this situation?
Opportunist Mice
Some people may be horrified to think that they could have mice on their property as they work hard to keep everything spotlessly clean. Yet it has nothing to do with your everyday habits and much to do with tiny critters that are always looking for a place to build a safe and secure nest.
How Mice Gain Access
It's relatively easy for mice to gain access to a typical house. Their bodies are remarkably agile and can squeeze through even the smallest hole to explore what lies on the other side. For example, they can sometimes get in through a vented brick that's designed to help with insulation in a basement or attic space. They may be able to get in alongside pipework or cabling that could connect an outside air conditioning unit or evacuates the hot air from your washing machine.
Detective Work
Mice are most active at night, which is when you should expect to hear their movements. But you can also look for tell-tale signs like droppings. These are very tiny and distinctive and could be scattered randomly. Make sure you look on top of cupboards and behind any appliances. You may also find it helpful to sprinkle some flour or talcum powder on the floor in suspect areas. If you have a mouse problem, you will see tell-tale footprints or tail-marks in the morning.
Other Sure Signs
Unfortunately, mice have the tendency to urinate often, which will leave an ammonia-like smell. This should be strongest in the area close to their entry and exit point. You may also see some dirt marks around skirting boards, where the mice may brush up against these areas as they move backwards and forward.
What You Should Do Now
If you've done some detective work and are sure you have a mouse infestation problem, you'll want to reach out to pest experts. They will have great experience in this field and can advise you on what to do next. They will also help you "mouse-proof" your property for the future.
For more information, contact a pest inspection company near you.
When the cold days of winter start to strike, you may be lulled into thinking that pests go into hibernation at this time of year. However, I can assure you that this is not the case. In fact, if anything, you are more likely to see pests in your home during winter because they are looking for somewhere warm to hide. My blog is all about pest control. I share my thoughts on topics like how to spot if you have a pest problem, and how to stop pests getting inside. If you are looking for some pest control tips and tricks, then check out my blog posts.