There are several areas of pest control that are important as we move from the warmer months into the cooler winter, and one important such area is rodent control. Rats, mice and other rodents will be even more interested than normal in getting into your home as the temperatures drop, and you need to be prepared for them.
At A-1 Exterminators, we’re here to help with this. Our rodent control services can help you with everything from patching entry points to laying down various rodenticide bait traps. One rodent we’re particularly cognizant of this time of year is the mouse, which may seem harmless and somewhat cute – until you realize the effects it can have on your home. Let’s look at why mice are harmful to the home, plus why it’s vital to act quickly if you notice the signs that a mouse might be present.
The Problem With Mice
“But mice are cute,” you might be saying. “They aren’t hurting me, what’s the big deal?”
Well, these aren’t the cute and cuddly cartoon mice your kids watch on TV. And even if they aren’t biting you or directly inflicting pain on anyone, they’re absolutely causing issues.
For starters, wild mice are incredibly dirty creates that can carry several major contaminations. They often scrounge through dumpsters or trash bins for food, picking up all sorts of unhealthy baggage as they do so. They may draw lice, ticks, fleas, mites and other small pests as well. When they enter your home, they’re exposing everyone in it to all these same contaminants. If they happen to make their way into your storage areas or food containers, they’ll leave disease-carrying organisms all over the place.
Why Moving Fast is Vital
Perhaps the biggest issue with mice is their rate of reproduction. That one mouse you hear in the walls may not seem like such a big deal, but it’s almost certain to turn into several mice in a big hurry. A female mouse only needs about 20 days to gestate, after which she can give birth to a litter that may reach up to a dozen babies or more. A single female mouse can have up to 10 litters per year, and it only takes newborn females about six weeks to reach fertile levels – in just a couple of months, you can go from a single mouse or litter to literally hundreds of mice.
This is why, at the very first sign of a mouse being present, you call our exterminators right away. Common signs of mice include squeaking noises you’ll hear coming from the walls, gnawed holes in your walls, urine smells, droppings, or scampering noises that sound like something is scurrying around in your pipes.
For more on why prompt action is vital for mice, or to learn about any of our fall rodent or pest prevention services, speak to the staff at A-1 Exterminators today.
