At first glance, you might not think that a house mouse is as dangerous or problematic as it is. Sure mice can cause a spook to anyone not expecting to see them late at night, but what trouble can they really be? The truth is, sometimes big trouble comes in very small packages, and mice are as trouble-packed as they come. Today we have put together a quick reference guide that you can utilize to keep mice out of your Ventura County home. Ready to get your home the protection it needs? Let’s jump right in.
How To Identify A House Mouse
As rodents go, house mice are as small as they come. Roughly 2 ⅓ to 3 ¾” in length, house mice can be identified by their dusty gray color, cream-colored bellies, large rounded ears, and long hairy tails. Typically mice are about half the size of rats. This does not make them any less problematic.
How Much Trouble Can Mice Be?
Despite their small size and cute appearance, mice can be extremely dangerous and destructive. With their sharp front incisor teeth, they are able to chew holes through walls, ceilings, and even into food boxes. They can use their teeth to sever electrical wiring and utility piping within your walls. We don’t have to explain to you how this can negatively affect your home.
Mice are capable of carrying and transmitting a number of dangerous diseases such as Salmonellosis, rat-bite fever, and Hantavirus. This is mainly due to their filthy bodies and dirty lifestyles. When inside your home, mice carry bacteria over countertops, kitchen tables, and over left-out food. This combined with the pellets of fecal matter they leave around puts homeowners at risk.
Last but not least, mice can cause a racket within the homes they infest. Nocturnal by nature, it is not uncommon for mice to be heard by homeowners scampering around within wall and ceiling voids late at night. This not only disturbs sleep but can also leave residents with a sense of uneasiness throughout their day knowing mice are around.
How and Why Mice Get Into Homes
Most people don’t know this, but house mice prefer living with people rather than out in the wild. Our homes provide them with security and an almost infinite source of food, assuming that you go shopping on a regular basis. The question is, how are they getting inside? Most commonly mice will find their way into homes through a crack or gap along the exterior. A typical house mouse can fit through a hole the size of a nickel They can also get inside through damage along rooflines or through open windows.
5 Steps To Keep Mice Out Of Your Home
- Keep your property well maintained. This involves regularly clearing debris and clutter, trimming back branches from the exterior of your home, and keeping the grass trimmed.
- Seal up potential entry points. Use a caulking gun and some wire mesh to seal up gaps and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation. Also, consider using a wire screen to cover exterior vents leading into your home. Finally, make sure your roofline is properly sealed and that your chimney is equipped with a rodent-proof cap.
- Keep your home clean. Thoroughly clean your home on a regular basis making sure not to neglect beneath furniture and appliances. It helps to clean messes as they happen and to limit where you eat to just the kitchen and dining room.
- Eliminate food sources. You can do this by storing leftover foods inside of airtight containers and/or in the fridge. If you have pets, make sure to pick up and clean out their food and water bowls before going to bed at night.
- Reduce moisture around your home. To do this, make sure no pipes are leaking and that your gutters are in good working order. In addition to this, make sure no standing sources of water are present around your home and property.
What To Do If Mice Get Inside
Sometimes mice get past our defenses. If mice are able to get into your Ventura County home, give us a call here at Ventura County Pest Control. We have quick and effective measures to get mice out of your home. With our friendly pest technicians on your side, pests stand no chance. Call today and find out what premium pest control services look like for your Ventura County home.
