Mice infestations lead to costly damage to drywall and insulation, ductwork, and electrical wiring. Their droppings and urine can also contaminate food.
The size and complexity of your home influence the price of mouse extermination services. Larger homes are more difficult to inspect and treat. Sanitation measures can also increase the cost of pest control services. Call Mice Removal Service Texas today!
Keep Your Food Safe
Mice are among the most common household pests, and they’re known to gnaw through food and other materials around the house. They can also spread dangerous bacteria and germs that can cause illness in humans. These rodents can also leave behind contaminated insulation and ductwork, which leads to costly repairs and a potential fire hazard.
The first step in mice control is a thorough inspection of your property to identify entry points and determine the severity of the infestation. Look for a service that offers this initial comprehensive inspection, as this can reduce the cost of your treatment and ensure better results. You should also choose a company that employs integrated pest management (IPM), which uses non-chemical methods to eliminate rodents and prevent them from returning.
Signs of a mouse problem are easy to spot and include droppings near entry points, in pantries, in drawers, and underneath sinks. You might also hear scurrying noises at night or gnawing sounds within walls or attics. Odors from soiled attic insulation or broken electrical wires are also signs of an infestation.
It’s essential to take action when you suspect a mouse infestation, as these rodents multiply quickly and can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home. Leaving any opening untreated will allow new mice to enter, and other rodents from the neighborhood to follow their scents and gain access as well. An infestation can turn into a disaster in just a few weeks.
Before hiring a professional, speak with several different companies and compare their reviews and offered plans. Some pest control services offer general pest control plans that can treat mild mouse infestations regularly. These plans typically include quarterly or monthly visits to your property for preventative maintenance and the treatment of existing pests. If you prefer targeted rodent treatments, you can find a company that offers individual visits to your home. Regardless of the type of pest control you need, expect your total cost to vary depending on the size of your property and the level of the infestation.
Seal Up Entry Points
Many homeowners think they have a mice problem when they hear rustling in the walls or see bite marks on electrical cords or drywall. But these tiny creatures can wreak a lot of damage in the short time they live in a home. They are known to compact insulation, destroy wiring by chewing, and introduce pathogens and bacteria into homes. The best way to prevent mice infestation is to keep a close eye out for signs and act quickly.
Most new and old homes aren’t built with mice in mind, so there are often gaps or cracks that mice can use to enter the home. These holes should be sealed immediately by a professional rodent exterminator. This includes areas under the garage door, along plumbing pipes, along soffit vents, and in gable vents.
Mice can squeeze through openings as small as a nickel and they enlarge them with their gnawing, which is why sealing entry points is an important part of keeping mice out of a home. Other preventive measures include storing food in tightly closed containers, cleaning up outdoor trash, and removing brush and wood piles from the property.
The size of a household and the extent of a mouse infestation will affect the cost of an extermination plan. Look for a pest control company that provides a thorough initial inspection and offers a range of options for treatment. Ask about their service policies and whether they follow integrated pest management, a less-invasive approach to pest control that is safer for children and pets.
The best way to keep costs low for mice extermination is to take preventative measures, including a comprehensive pest control plan that covers mice and other common invaders. A general pest control contract is an affordable option that allows homeowners to receive regular preventive treatments, typically on a monthly or quarterly basis. These plans cover other rodents, such as roaches and ants, as well as insects like flies and spiders. In addition to lowering prices, these preventive services may be more effective in controlling the pest population than relying on one-off sprays of poison.
Eliminate Nesting Areas
The most effective method of mouse control involves preventing them from entering the home in the first place. This is possible if you remove their hiding and nesting spots, block entry points, and seal the gaps that mice can chew through.
Mice seek out warm, dark areas where they can scurry around undetected and find food sources. They can be found in crawl spaces, in insulation, and under cabinets. Once inside the home, they can spread a wide array of diseases, contaminate foods and other possessions, damage surfaces with their constant gnawing, and create fire hazards by chewing through electrical wires.
In addition to removing mouse droppings and nesting materials, professional exterminators will also seal entry points and reduce the likelihood of future infestations. They use a broad range of specialized tools and techniques, such as rodent-specific baits and traps, to prevent the growth of a mouse population. They may also recommend additional preventative measures such as the installation of pipe collars, door sweeps, grates over drains, and screens over vents.
When selecting a pest control company, opt for one that has extensive experience with mouse infestations and a good reputation for eradicating them. Look for companies that offer complimentary inspections to assess the severity of the problem and formulate tailored strategies based on your specific situation. Some will charge on a per-room basis, which can be cost-effective for small infestations. However, it is not usually the best option for homes with multiple rooms where mice can travel from room to room.
To keep mice away from your home in the future, regularly vacuum and sweep to remove crumbs and other residue. Store pet food in airtight containers and dispose of trash promptly to reduce the availability of crumbs and other potential foodstuffs. Trim shrubs and trees to eliminate hiding places, and remove rock piles and other debris from the yard that can serve as shelter or hiding spots for mice. Indoors, store fabric, paper, and blankets in heavy plastic storage bins and keep kitchen counters clear of unprotected crumbs. Install dehumidifiers in attics, basements, and crawl spaces to make these areas less appealing habitats for mice.
Keep Your Pets Out
When mice infest your home, they may damage the structure of the building by chewing through electrical and plumbing lines, leaving soiled attic insulation, and droppings throughout the house. They also contaminate food and create unsanitary conditions that can lead to serious health issues. Mice can transmit several diseases, including Hantavirus and Salmonella. They can also cause respiratory problems by contaminating surfaces with their feces and urine, especially for people with allergies or asthma.
The best way to minimize your rodent infestation is to contact a pest control company as soon as you notice signs of mouse activity. A professional technician will conduct a thorough inspection and formulate a strategy for your specific situation. He or she can set bait stations and snap traps in a targeted manner to lure and kill the mice in a limited space. For more extensive rodent control, technicians can also install door sweeps and seal cracks.
You can help to make your property less attractive to mice by keeping all food in airtight containers and storing them away from the walls, where they like to nest. Keep woodpiles a safe distance from your home, as well.
Mice can enter the house through the smallest cracks and crevices. Once they’re inside, they can breed quickly. A single female can produce up to a dozen babies every three weeks.
A mouse infestation can be extremely difficult to remove from a home. It requires a thorough inspection, sealing of all entry points, and cleaning up the mess and contamination caused by these little creatures. A professional can get the job done safely and effectively without the need to use toxic chemicals that can harm pets and children.
If you’re ready to get started, opt for a local company that offers complimentary inspections and estimates. Compare the pricing and service offerings of different providers and choose one that best matches your needs and budget. If you prefer an ongoing plan, opt for a pest control company that offers general pest control services that include routine rodent inspections and treatments on a monthly or quarterly basis.
