Winters in New England can be incredibly cold. In Southern Maine, the weather can drop overnight. Suddenly the long afternoon walks through changing leaves turns into movie marathons under a blanket. As we humans start to retreat into the warmth of our homes, so do common pests, especially mice. Mice can’t survive the extreme weather of winter, so they spend the fall months looking for warm places to hide. Once mice get into your home, they will build nests and search your home for food. They can multiply quickly, and you might find your home overtaken by these pests.
Why Are Mice Considered Pests?
Mice may seem cute when you’re watching a video of a pet mouse or you see them at a pet store. But wild mice should not be living in your home. They can cause significant damage! Mice are known for their chewing. They can damage your belongings and your home. Mice can even chew on wires, causing electrical fires.
If this isn’t enough, mice are also known to spread bacteria and diseases such as hantavirus, typhoid, and salmonella. Mice are extremely active pests, and they aren’t afraid to explore your entire house. They’ll crawl over all surfaces, spending plenty of time looking for food in the kitchen. This can contaminate your cooking areas and put you and your family at risk for disease. Dealing with mice can be risky, as even cleaning their feces and urine without proper protective gear can spread disease.
How Can You Keep Mice Out of Your Home?
The bad news is that mice are very small and flexible. They can fit through tight spaces and come into your home through cracks you didn’t even know where there. To keep them out, you should conduct routine checks for holes and cracks in the exterior of your home. Use caulk and steel wool to seal up any spaces that might be inviting mice to come inside.
You can also prevent mice by limiting their access to food. If they get inside but can’t find any food, they won’t want to stay. Keep your kitchen clean, especially at night. Seal all food tightly in airtight containers that can’t be chewed through. Even some thin plastic can be chewed by mice, so you want hard plastic or glass containers that can’t be broken into.
What to Do If You Have A Mice Infestation?
The good news is that mice don’t need to stay in your home once they get inside. There is no reason to deal with the nuisance and worry of a mice infestation. You shouldn’t put your family at risk of infection or disease. While you may first attempt to solve the problem on your own, an infestation is better left to the professionals. Mice traps and poison can work with limited success, but they can be dangerous if you have pets of your own or small children. For more effective mice treatment, call Big Blue Bug Solutions. Our years of experience have prepared us for the successful, efficient, and safe elimination of mice and other rodents. We’ll work with you to create a long-lasting solution so that you can get back to enjoying your movies.