What Every Homeowner Should Know About Mice & Rodents

Musophobia, the fear of mice and rats, is one of the most common fears among humans. People with the phobia often worry about the dangers associated with these creatures infesting their homes and spreading disease. The phobia can sometimes make people a little too fearful, but everyone should have some concern when they see a mouse in their home.

It is better to become educated than to succumb to the over exaggerated hysteria that Musophobia can cause. Keep reading to learn some basic facts about the common house mouse so you can understand what to look for and how to manage a suspected rodent infestation.

Prevention is Possible

Mice can squeeze through some pretty small spaces to enter a home. Common entrance areas include the gaps around drainage pipes, vent openings, and doors and windows. A mouse only needs a hole as large as their skull, which is the broadest part of their skeletal system. And some very tiny mice exist, so keeping them out can be a challenge. However, prevention is possible, and there are several things a homeowner can do.

Homeowners can hire a home inspector who will detect and cover all gaps big enough for a mouse on the exterior of their home. Other deterrents, like a lack of available food and a debris-free yard, will also make the home much less appealing to mice. For some homeowners, annual or semi-annual visits from a pest service may be necessary if their home is in an area with a high volume of mice.

Mice Breed Quickly

A big mistake many homeowners make is to wait to call a pest service because they’ve only seen one mouse. But mice can breed when they’re as young as a month old, and their breeding season lasts all year. The gestation period for mice is about three weeks long and litters can have as many as a dozen babies. The babies will also begin to breed in a few weeks. 

Safety Issues Will Develop

The CDC lists seven diseases present in the United States that can pass from mice to humans. Surprisingly, rabies is not on that list. The rabies virus rarely occurs in any small rodents(even rats), and there are few, if any, reported cases involving the transmission of rabies from a mouse to a human.

Homeowners should not sweep or vacuum droppings. Stirring up droppings may make any diseases airborne. The CDC recommends to spray a disinfectant on the droppings and allow the solution to soak for several minutes. Proper removal in a sealed bag and enclosed garbage can will prevent further contamination.

Repairs May Be Needed

A professional pest removal is only the first step a homeowner should take after an infestation.

The natural tendency mice have to chew up anything available for nesting material means they often cause damage to appliances, vehicles, and houses by chewing the insulation from electrical wiring. The possibility of a house fire due to this behavior is the biggest risk for occupants of a home. Homeowners should call an electrician and have them check the house and replace any damaged wiring.

Visit a mechanic as well if the mice were in a garage. Homeowners will need to remove soiled insulation and any nesting materials in the area where the mice roamed. It’s vitally important to sanitize any surfaces where the mice may have traveled, including furniture and countertops.

At Craig & Sons Termite & Pest Control, Inc, we work quickly to get control of pest infestations. If you see signs of a mouse in your home, contact us for an inspection as soon as possible.