Mice and rats spread numerous diseases worldwide. These diseases quickly spread to people when they come into contact with rodent waste or contaminated food.
So, it’s essential to know the key signs that you have mice in the house. Even better, once you’ve eliminated the problem, you’ll know immediately if they return.
Keep reading this guide to learn the tell-tale signs that mice are living in your house!
Rodent Droppings
Seeing rodent droppings in your house is a sure sign you have a mouse infestation. Fresh rodent droppings appear dark and moist, while older ones appear light and gray.
You’ll typically find droppings near drawers, cupboards, and food packages. They’re also commonly found under sinks and along the walls.
A large amount of droppings in one area often signals there are mice nearby feeding or nesting.
Foul Odor
Urine from mice gives off a distinct ammonia odor. You might notice your dogs or cats sniffing or pawing at different areas of your house, like the walls or under the stove.
An odor near your walls can indicate that you might have mice in your walls and that they may have recently entered your home.
Gnaw Marks
You’ll find gnaw marks on wood around your house. You might also find them in food packages or containers.
Gnaw marks can be on your walls too. Older gnaw marks are darker in color, whereas lighter gnaw marks tend to be newer and typically point to a more recent infestation.
Gnaw marks approximately 1/8 inch long are usually rats, and smaller scratch marks are typically mice.
Scratching Noises
Remember, rodents are nocturnal, and at night, they tend to run around on your floors and inside the walls.
You might see them scampering along the floors and often hear scratching noises from your ceiling and walls. You may also hear squeaking. Sometimes your pets may hear the noises before you do. So, if you see your cat or dog paying close attention to the wall, you may need to listen closer.
Nests
Mice and other rodents usually use different materials like dried plants, fabrics, string, and pieces of paper to build their nest. If you find areas with mounds of paper and fabric along with rodent droppings, then clearly, you have a mouse problem.
Typically you’ll find nests under appliances, cabinets, or the attic and basement.
How To Keep Mice Out Of The House
Your first step is to eliminate all leftover crumbs and open food containers. You’ll also want to keep your animal food and water dishes clean and put them away when not in use.
Next, identify and seal any holes, gaps, or spaces in your home that could serve as an entry point. You can also place traps if you know you have mice, not rats. Mouse traps are not big enough for rats and will only scare them away.
Your best bet for long-term mice control is to call a rodent removal service. These services help you bate, trap, remove, and sanitize your home. They can also quickly find and seal all entry areas.
Signs You Have Mice In The House
Knowing the signs that you have mice in the house can save you a lot of hassle long-term. You’ll be able to detect them early and formulate a plan.
Remember, it can often be challenging to detect the type of rodent problem you have, so don’t be afraid to call a rodent control company right away.
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