A house mouse isn’t much to look at. They’re only about 2 ½ to 3 ¾ of an inch long. But what a house mouse lacks in size, it more than makes up for with its strong, sharp teeth and ability to climb and jump.
How Mice Cause Trouble
Mice don’t mean to harm us or our property. They are timid critters that are just looking for water, food and a place to hide from all of the many predators that want to eat them. The problem is that mice in Dallas don’t know how to properly behave as guests inside our homes.
Chewing
Mice chew on lots of things. They’ll chew on weatherstripping, door sweeps, screens, wood frames and other building materials to get inside. The holes they make are small from our perspective but giant to all of the tiny bugs that live around our homes. Those bugs will be quick to use those holes to get into your home. Exterior holes can also allow water to get into your home.
- You can resist mice by sealing entry points from your foundation to the top of your first floor.
When mice get into a home, they don’t stop chewing. They chew on insulation, wallpaper, sheetrock, baseboards and other interior building materials. They chew holes in furniture and take the cotton inside cushions to build their nests. They chew holes in clothing, curtains and other fabrics. They’ll also chew their way into stored-food packaging. When they get into foods, they can contaminate them with harmful bacteria picked up from trash cans, sewers and also with their urine and feces.
- Protect your stored foods by putting them in hard plastic containers that are completely sealed.
When mice chew on building materials in your home, they may chew on wiring as well. This can cause electrical problems in your home and, if a mouse chews on a live wire, it can lead to a house fire.
The only way to prevent mice from causing a house fire is to actively prevent them from getting into your home. The best way to do this is by investing in a residential pest control plan that provides coverage for rodents.
Climbing
Mice scale up the sides of homes to get to unexpected entry points. This is one of the reasons they’re difficult to keep out. They can also climb up downspouts to gain access to vulnerable spots on your roof.
- Put wire mesh in downspouts to prevent mice from climbing up.
Jumping
Mice can jump (and also climb) up into your trash. They do this to get to the smell of decaying food inside. When they climb around in your kitchen trash, they can quickly climb out and expose your surfaces, dishes and food to harmful bacteria.
- Make sure all your trash cans have a cover.
Do you have mice chewing, climbing and jumping around on the outside or inside of your Dallas home? The pest professionals here at Romney Pest Control, can help you get them out and keep them out. Contact us today for immediate assistance.
