Easy Tips to Control Rodents and Mice Inside the House

There is no getting away from the fact that you will at some point have to deal with mice or other rodents getting into your home. Across the USA, there are mice and rats everywhere – in the rural areas, in the suburbs and towns and cities – and while we can take preventative measures, it is very difficult to rodent-proof a home completely.

What should you do if you suspect you have rodents in your home? Are they dangerous, and what problems can they cause? To get answers to these questions and learn more about this pest control service, consult with professionals who specialize in rodent eradication like Pointe Pest Control they can provide you with valuable information about this pest control services and offer expert guidance on how to address rodent infestations effectively. That’s what we’re going to look at in the article that follows, so let’s begin by talking about the potential problems of rodents in the home.

Are Rodents and Mice Dangerous?

Because of the prevalence of rats and mice, many pest exterminators on Long Island can advise you directly. It is certainly worth talking to the professionals should you need advice.

As for danger, your average mouse maybe a cute little creature, but it can cause considerable damage. Starting with the food aspect, mice that get into your larder will enjoy a feast. You’ll find numerous packets and boxes that have been opened, rendering the remainder useless. They also contaminate the home by leaving their feces – these look like coffee grounds – and urine all over the place. These are the tell-tale signs of mice in the house.

Rats also perform the same destructive actions but to a greater extent. You should also bear in mind that both rats and mice – and other pests – have come to your home from elsewhere and may have picked up dangerous bacteria along the way. This can easily be passed on to people who can then become quite ill.

Mice and rats cause one further danger, and that’s their love of chewing through electrical cables. Rats are especially adept at this with their powerful jaw and large teeth. It may be annoying to find your TV cable has been eaten, but there’s also the danger of them chewing through more powerful cables and causing a fire. Homes have been lost to rats causing fires in this way, hence the need to get them out of the house.

So, mice and rats can endanger life. Before we move on to look at some anti-rodent tips, here’s are a few facts about mice and rats.

All About Mice

Many families will have enjoyed mice as pets, and – as do rats – they make great pets for children. But they are in a special cage and not roaming about ruining your food. Here are a few interesting facts about mice:

• Mice grow up to 7inches long but weigh no more than an ounce.
• There are many varieties of mice in the USA and across the world.
• Wild mice live mainly in forests and grasslands and create burrows underground.
• They don’t eat cheese as is popularly depicted but do eat fruit, seeds and grains.
• Where food is scarce, a mouse – which is omnivorous – will eat anything it can find.
• Hey, it can be cannibalistic where food is very scarce.
• Mice are surprisingly tough and can withstand many scorpion bites.
• They communicate using ultrasound.
• A mouse’s whiskers act as a sort of barometer and measure temperature changes.
• Mice can jump, swim and climb.

That’s the mouse for you, so now for the rat.

All About Rats

Here are our facts about rats:

• In a 2016 research project, Chicago came out top as the most rat-infested city.
• A common house rat measures 20inches and 12oz.
• Research has found common rats are getting larger but are unlikely to match the Bosavi Wooly Rat, which measures 32inches and 3lbs.
• Rats breed from 5 weeks old – really – until about two years, and each litter will yield between 6 and 20 young.
• Rats did not cause the Black Death; that was gerbils.

So, we now know some fun facts about rats, so let’s talk about getting rid of them!

Rodent Elimination Tips

Let’s start with mice!

• Get a cat. Cats love to chase and catch mice. Some dogs do too, and they can be very successful. Rodent control is the reason for the Farm Cat. Cats are also cuddly, fun, and easy to keep.
• Install mouse traps. Many quite sophisticated traps are a cut above the one familiar from the cartoons, and they can be very successful. Place them where you have seen mouse droppings most often.
• Put food away in tight containers. Mice are in your house because there is food available. Eliminate that, and your place is less attractive.
• If you can fit a pencil into a crack or hole, then a mouse can get through it. Go through the house and block tiny entrance points.

That’s a few of the methods that can be used to deter and rid your home of mice. Many of these apply to rats, too, so let’s see what you can do.

• Don’t leave food lying about as that is what the rat is after.
• Dispose of rubbish carefully and never leave bin bags outdoors.
• Close all holes that a rat can get through.
• Install rat traps where the rats have been seen.
• Buy a very big cat. Maine Coon and American Shorthair are breeds that naturally hunt rodents but are more likely to take on mice than rats.

So, what have we learned? Let’s sum things up.

Final Words

Domesticated mice and rats can make fascinating and enjoyable pets. However, wild examples in your home can be damaging, dangerous, and may infect you with bacteria. If you suspect you have a rat or mouse problem, the first thing to do is consult a local pest control expert and have them check your home and confirm. They will advise you as to the best way forward to rid your home of these troublesome pests.