by Derrick |
Last Updated: September 26, 2022 Rats chewing on electrical wires, squirrels digging in the garden soil, or mice running around in the kitchen are a real problem for homeowners. The presence of mice in the house can lead to property damage to the home and even the transmission of diseases to human family members. The unwanted presence of these rodents begs the question: when to call a mouse exterminator?
When you get a mouse or detect significant signs of an infestation, it’s the right time to contact a professional exterminator. If you choose to wait, you are allowing time for the mice to cause much more damage and spread rapidly within your property.
Some of the signs of the presence of mice or rats in the house are droppings, wood dust or wood chips in piles, lousy odor, nesting materials, scratching on floors and walls, and of course, getting face to face with the mice. This topic provides a lot of exciting information, so we invite you to read on, so you will recognize when it is the proper time to call an exterminator.
When To Call A Mice Exterminator?
Suppose you discover that you have mice in your home. In that case, the only way to guarantee their complete elimination is to hire a mouse exterminator. Even a few mice can cause a massive problem in the house.
Because of this, we will review several of the signs that you should identify to confirm that you have a rodent infestation. If you discover any of the following events, you should immediately call a mouse exterminator.
When You See Fresh Droppings
The big telltale sign of a possible mouse infestation is finding fresh droppings. You can recognize mouse droppings when you see dark, moist pellets. If you don’t clean these droppings, they will solidify and turn a grayish color and crumble easily to the touch.
You will likely find these droppings near food sources, such as in the kitchen, pantry, drawers, or under the sink. You may also find large droppings in areas where mice eat and nest. For this reason, you should thoroughly inspect every possible nesting site to determine if there is an active mouse infestation.
When you get mouse droppings, always wear protective gloves to clean the area. It would help if you even used a respirator in significantly affected areas. Experts do not recommend vacuuming or sweeping up droppings, as this could release bacteria or viruses that could spread disease. The best alternative is to pick them up very carefully and place them in sturdy, sealed plastic bags.
When You Get Gnaw Marks
Mice have teeth that grow continuously at 0.03 centimeters per day. This fact means that they must gnaw on hard materials such as wood, electrical wires, cables of all kinds, plastics, or even furniture to sharpen their teeth.
These gnawing habits, especially on wires, translate into serious household hazards, as chewed wires can lead to power outages, equipment damage, or in the worst case, fire.
With Pungent, Musky Odors
Another clear sign of mouse infestation is the presence of a musky ammonia-like smell. The urine of mice can cause the ammonia smell indicative of a potential infestation.
You can find this odor in enclosed spaces such as pantries, drawers, or closets, and it really is an awful smell.
This odor is so pervasive that even dogs and cats can perceive it, especially in areas where we presume that mice are present. If you notice that your pet is touching or licking a place where you previously had no interest, grab your flashlight and inspect the area for mice.
When we have a severe infestation, we are likely to notice an unpleasant musty odor in the area; this is a devastating sign of an active mouse infestation.
Evidence Of Holes Or Tears In Various Materials
Mice are very inventive when it comes to constructing their homes. They use various materials such as shredded paper/paper towels, cloth, and dried plants to make their nests. For this reason, if you find any new holes, tears, or signs of gnawing in clothing, bedding, or other materials, mice are likely to be present in your home.
Usually, the mice’s nest is in a dark corner of the house. Some of the most common places are in closets, drawers, behind the refrigerator, or large appliances that we rarely move. Mice create tiny holes in the bottom of drawers or cabinets to fill the nest with shredded materials.
Traces In The Hallways Of The House
You are likely to come across traces of dirty spots along the floor, which would be a sign of the presence of mice. Mice often walk along the floor, walls, and ceiling, following the same route night after night.
What creates the trail or marks is the dirt from the mice’s paws and fur along the path they have traveled. You can spot the tracks or patterns easily by using a flashlight pointing at the suspect area.
You may also find small urine, droppings, or footprints. Some experts recommend placing a skinny layer of flour in the area where you suspect that mice make their rounds. With this action, you will see the dust trails caused by the mice’s footprints.
When You Hear Strange Noises At Night
Mice are little gymnasts, as they are excellent climbers, can jump long distances, and squeeze through small openings. This impressive dexterity means that they can move from one house area to another with astonishing ease.
Because of this, hearing scratching or scraping noises on the ceiling or walls, especially at night, is a strong sign of mouse infestation.
At night, mice prepare their passages, creating holes that allow them to move through the house quickly.
When You Notice Damaged Wiring
One tell-tale sign of a mice infestation that likely warrants a call from an exterminator is when your house has electrical wiring that is damaged with no other explanation. Mice wreak havoc on wiring and will get into the most inopportune places and chew through the wiring causing electrical issues and potentially even a fire.
What Are The Main Reasons To Call A Mice Exterminator?
No one wants to have mice running loose in their home. These rodents are very clever animals to hide from humans, so in most cases, we will need the intervention of a professional exterminator to get rid of this problem.
The main reasons why we should contact an exterminator in case we have an infestation are:
- Mice cause diseases. Mice, rats, and squirrels are essentially looking for food and shelter in some cases. When rodents enter the pantry, they can contaminate the food by leaving feces and urine. In addition to being unsanitary, rodents are carriers of pathogens and diseases. There is also the possibility that family members may experience allergic reactions such as asthma attacks or hives.
- Mice can also cause extensive property damage in the home. The sharp teeth of mice never stop growing. This fact will make them always have the urge to gnaw and chew on everything in their path. Rodents can chew on just about anything, including some types of metal, various types of wood, wires, and plastics in all shapes and forms.
What Actions Does An Exterminator Take To Eliminate Mice?
A skilled mouse exterminator will perform a series of actions to get rid of mice; some of them are:
- The exterminator will search the interior and exterior of the house to locate easy entry points.
- The exterminators will block the entry points for mice. Remember that mice can enter the house through tiny spaces, so the exterminator will identify all weak access points and block them properly to prevent entry.
- The exterminator can place metal mesh at the weak points to ensure rodents do not enter the house. Some of these places are vents, pipes, and chimneys.
- The exterminator will place traps around the house. The most common recommendation is to set at least a dozen traps.
- When traps are not sufficient, the exterminator may place bait stations. These stations function similarly to the traps, except they kill the mice when they taste the poisoned bait.
- The last option for severe mouse infestations is to fumigate the house. It is important to emphasize that a professional exterminator should only carry out this method.
A Final Thought On When To Call A Mice Exterminator
When you have solid evidence of the presence of rats in the house, it is best to proceed quickly and not risk further damage.
No matter the degree of the infestation, the best option is always to call an exterminator. These professionals know how to solve the root of the infestation problems quickly and safely for your family.
Sources:
https://www.emcopc.com/post/when-to-call-an-exterminator-for-mice
https://www.micemobexterminators.com/2017/08/signs-call-mice-exterminator
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