Learn how the professionals keep their clients' homes free of mouse activity in Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, and beyond.
DECEMBER 20, 2022
Have you ever wondered why mice in Alabama like to invade our homes? Is there something about the places we live that lure these furry rodents indoors, or is it just simple curiosity? The truth is, most homes offer mice great opportunities for food, water, and especially shelter. We are here today to help you understand what attracts mice, how to prevent mice, and what to do to get rid of mice without having to resort to poisons. If that is what you are looking for, read on to discover the top five things the pros recommend to protect your home against rodents.
How To Identify A Mouse Infestation
When mice invade living spaces, they do their best to stay out of sight. The first signs most folks notice is the ever annoying scratching sound coming from the attic or inside the walls. If you decide to inspect these noises for yourself, you'll likely encounter our next sign of rodent activity...poop. Mice and rats have no problem pooping, peeing and eating all in the same place. Therefore, one of the easist ways to spot their activity is the small, black fecal pellets they leave behind in pantries, cupboards, cabinets, and many other areas mice frequent.
Other signs include the smell of urine in the air, urine stains on fabrics and furniture, gnaw marks on the legs of furniture and other items around your home; holes chewed through walls and boxes; and torn up insulation, fabrics and other paper-based items.
The Dangers Of Having Mice In Your Home
When it comes to pest problems, mice are by far some of the worst. Not only are these furry rodents extremely annoying and destructive, but they can also be dangerous. The main threats posed by these pests are the diseases they carry and spread. Two common ways mice spread diseases are (1) through their fecal droppings and urine and (2) through the parasites they carry, namely fleas and ticks. Here are just a few of the diseases mice can carry and spread to humans:
Salmonellosis
Hantavirus
Rabies
Rat-bite fever
Lyme disease
Rocky Mountain spotted fever Tularemia
If you suspect mice have taken residence inside your home, be careful not to eat contaminated food and use protective gear when cleaning up fecal droppings and urine stains.
Why You Should Call The Pros At The First Sign Of Mice In Your Home If you are already dealing with rodent activity in your home and need help, you are in the right place. The professionals at Pest Control Experts offer fast and effective rodent removal options in Birmingham and surrounding areas to aid local homeowners facing rodent problems. Our advanced trapping and control techniques are designed to work for all homes or businesses and will make quick work of any problems you are having. If you are unsure if you have a rodent problem or not, we also offer FREE detailed inspections!
Five Effective Mouse Prevention Tips For Your Home Whether you are trying to prevent future activity or you've just had mice removed from your house, your next step should be to put in place some prevention measures. This type of work in our industry is referred to as a rodent exclusion service. Here are a few chemical-free mouse prevention tips our team recommends you try:
5. Seal it up! - Walk around the exterior of your home and find all the small holes that lead inside or underneath your home. Holes as small as one inch in diameter are big enough for mice to squeeze through. Check places like electrical outlets, plumbing and a/c unit lines entering the house, gutter areas, crawl space and dryer vents for possible
entry points. Some of the materials we use in professional exclusion work include expanding foam, caulk, and steel wool to fill in these holes, gaps, and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation.
4. Weatherstripping - Probably the easiest and most obvious entry point that most homeowners overlook is the garage door. If you can see daylight coming through a gap under your garage door, so can a mouse. Sometimes garage doors need to be adjusted so that they close properly. Make sure your window and door screens are in good working order as well. Most doors have replaceable weatherstripping that is available at your local home improvement store. Check out one of the many how-to videos on YouTube for step-by-step instructions on how to fix these possible entry points.
3. Sanitation - Keeping the inside of your home clean is only the beginning. Conditions around the exterior of your home often attract mice as well. Mice love tall grass, piles of leaves, bird food, gardens, compost, and more! Keeping theses areas maintained will help keep rodent levels down. Also, make sure you rotate your compost to cover newly added items as they will attract all sorts of hungry critters. Consider stopping outdoor bird feeding if you begin to notice rodent activity.
2. Environment - Address moisture issues like leaks and moisture buildup. Mice need a convenient water source as well as food in order to take up residence in your home. Water leaks also lead to rotting and weakened wood which is a much easier material for powerful rodent teeth to chew through and enter your home.
1. Hire a professional - Let's face it, you don't want to deal with bugs and rodents, but pros like us don't mind! A certified and liscenced pest management professional will posses the knowledge, equipment, and experience to handle these types of home ownership issues. Some of the products that homeowners have access to online can be harmful and dangerous if applied incorrectly. Just because you can buy it online, doesn't make it safe for use in or around your home!
Looking for rodent or pest control in the Birmingham area?
Visit our website here today if you would like more information about our residential and commercial pest solutions, or if you would like to schedule your central Alabama home for a FREE inspection.