Mice manage to find their way into houses of all shapes and sizes, both new and old. Once indoors, mice cause nothing but headaches for homeowners. These small rodents can make a racket in the middle of the night, destroy your property, and even spread disease to you and your family. You want to keep mice from infesting your house, but first, you need to know how mice get into Wichita homes.
About House Mice
House mice are not only one of the most common pests but are believed to be the most common mammal in all of the United States. They are abundant throughout the country and can be found just about wherever people live.
The body of an average house mouse measures between 2 and 4 inches in length with a 3 to 4-inch tail. They usually have gray or brownish fur with cream-colored bellies and have a pointed muzzle surrounded by long whiskers.
Although they are small, house mice can be dangerous. They can spread parasites like ticks and fleas and transmit a number of diseases like salmonellosis and leptospirosis. House mice chew through wood, plastic, and even wires. If mice severely damage electrical wiring, it can potentially start a fire.
One female house mouse can give birth to as many as 30 mice per year, meaning an infestation can grow quickly.
How Do House Mice Get Indoors?
Like most pests, house mice are attracted to food and shelter. The presence of food on your property will certainly draw house mice to the scene. If you have a lawn full of birdseed or keep pet food outdoors where mice can access it, you may be unintentionally attracting them to your yard, and lots of crumbs, food scraps, or open containers will attract mice indoors.
While mouse problems can happen at any time of year, they are especially likely to seek out the warmth of your home as the weather turns cold in the fall and winter.
Mice only need a ¼ inch hole to squeeze through — about the diameter of a standard pencil. Basically, they can fit through anything smaller than the size of their head. Even the tiniest holes or gaps around the exterior of your home can be an entrance for house mice. However, sealing these entrances with wood or caulk won’t be enough. House mice will chew through most materials except metal and glass. If they are motivated, they can gnaw their way into your home.
How To Prevent House Mice
Thankfully, there are steps you can take to prevent house mice from infesting your Wichita home.
- Store food properly. Keep your pantry foods stored in durable containers made of glass or metal with a tight-sealing lid. Mice will easily chew through paperboard material and can also gnaw through heavy plastic.
- Dispose of trash. Take out the trash as often as possible to keep food waste from attracting mice. Try to use metal trash bins if possible and always keep the lid on.
- Seal entrances. Inspect the exterior of your home for holes or gaps where mice can get in. Use steel wool to stuff holes or use metal mesh or plates to patch cracks and gaps.
- Do some cleaning. Simply cleaning up after you eat and cook can make a big difference in removing the food scraps that attract mice. Wipe down counters and tables after use. Sweep, mop, and vacuum floors as necessary.
Even if you use mouse traps, you probably won’t be able to get rid of an infestation on your own. Traps only catch one mouse at a time, but many more mice are likely hiding out where you can’t see or reach. That’s why you need professional assistance from Alta Pest Control to take care of the problem. With our rodent control services, we’ll eliminate your mouse problem at the source and prevent new mice from infesting your home. Get in touch with us today.
