If you were asked what the most common home-invading pest is, you might first choose an insect such as an ant or maybe a spider. But, while these species do often infest homes, one of the most prevalent is the common house mouse. The house mouse is a difficult and dangerous invader to have around your Western Massachusetts home, and there are many reasons why they are so challenging to keep out.
Mice have become dependent on humans for their survival, and this isn’t great news for us. They’ve adapted to using our dwellings for shelter and areas to nest, and they look to us for places with easy access to food and water. This dependency makes them a rather tricky pest to prevent and control.
But, before getting into the specifics of the risks of a mouse infestation, it’s important to be able to identify these tiny rodents. Mice are quite small and only grow to be around five inches long, including their tails. They have large, fur-covered ears long tails, and pointy faces. Their fur is a brown-gray color with light cream underbellies. They may look rather cute to some people, but the problems they create for homeowners are far from adorable.
The Many Dangers Of Mice In The Home
Mice are no small problem. They can bring with them many health risks that most people aren’t aware of, such as:
- Spreading illnesses like hantavirus and salmonellosis
- Carrying parasites like ticks and fleas which can transmit Lyme disease, Bubonic plague, and more
- Causing allergic reactions, allergy attacks, and other respiratory issues from the build-up of their droppings, urine, and fur
The truth is that even just having mice in your home is potentially dangerous, even if you never see them or touch them. Their presence is a health hazard, and they are also destructive. Mice will chew through things constantly as they must do so in order to keep their teeth from growing too long. They can destroy everything from drywall and plastic to furniture, plumbing, and electrical wires, and more.
The Challenges Of Mice Prevention
Another issue with mice is that they aren’t easy pests to prevent or control. They can fit through holes as small as a dime and gnaw their way inside even if they don’t find any big enough openings. This makes it difficult to seal up every entry point, especially because you’ll need to use products they can’t chew through.
Then, once mice are inside, they are that much more difficult to remove. They reproduce quickly and are skilled at hiding in many out-of-sight and out-of-reach areas, such as inside walls and behind appliances. While some products like baits and traps might remove a few individuals, they are unlikely to eradicate the entire infestation.
The Effective Way To Control Mice
Instead of trying to deal with these invasive and harmful pests on your own, give the home pest control professionals at American Pest Solutions a call. We offer comprehensive rodent control services that will eradicate any existing infestations and prevent others in the future.
Our services are customizable, affordable, and reliable. All you have to do is contact us today to learn more or request a quote.