Whether you think they’re cute or creepy, mice infestations can happen right under your nose.
Brody Brothers Pest Control is one of the top Baltimore mice exterminators and many well-meaning homeowners believe in myths about mice. We are here to set the record straight, educating you on mice infestation, behavior, and best extermination practices.
Why Worry About Mice?
Mice are deceiving when it comes to the threat that they pose. After all, mice only weigh about 1 ounce or less. They are quiet, docile, and generally won’t bite you unless you try to pick them up.
One issue with mice is that they can destroy your home. They will collect soft and comfortable materials for their nest, including clothing, old newspapers, and old cardboard boxes. Drywall and insulation aren’t off-limits, either. Some homeowners call Baltimore mice exterminators because they discover holes chewed through their walls.
The major downfall of mice is their ability to carry disease. Mice can carry roughly 35 diseases that are harmful to humans, which include:
- Pinworms
- Hantavirus
- Salmonellosis
- Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis
Keep in mind that a mouse bite is not the only way to transfer disease to humans. Inhaling near mouse feces or urine is sometimes enough to transfer disease.
What is a Mouse Infestation?
The sight of a single mouse doesn’t necessarily mean an infestation but realize it can lead to one if conditions are right.
Mice are nocturnal animals, so seeing them in the daytime can certainly indicate that they are on the move and potentially preparing for nests. Keep in mind that the time of day that you see mice doesn’t necessarily correlate with the size of the population.
Mice breed all year long and can have up to 10 litters per year, typically producing 6 to 8 babies at a time. With this rate of reproduction, you can end up with a minimum of 60 to 80 mice in your home in the span of a year. This is only from one pair of parent mice.
There are several signs to look out for when it comes to a mouse infestation, giving you more clues into the severity of your mouse problem.
What are the Signs of Mouse Infestation?
When you’re potentially dealing with a mouse infestation, you’ll likely run into some or all of the following signs:
- Mouse droppings that you might find in drawers, cupboards, and hidden areas
- Gnaw marks and foul odors
- Tracks and runways
- Nests
Now that you know the signs of a mouse infestation, it’s time to debunk some common myths about mice and how to effectively get rid of them.
Myth #1: You Can Trap Mice with Cheese
Cartoons taught us as children that you can catch mice in a trap using cheese. As perhaps the most common mice myth, the cheese story was debunked in 2006 at Manchester Metropolitan University.
If you’re trying to catch a mouse, there is better bait to use than cheese. Researchers discovered that mice are put-off by rich-smelling cheeses. They prefer cereal, dried fruit, and high-sugar foods such as chocolate.
Myth #2: Cats Will Eliminate Your Mouse Infestation
While it’s true that cats kill mice—in fact, billions of them each year—an infestation is a different story. Fluffy simply won’t be able to take on a mouse infestation no how big her appetite.
If you have a rat infestation, the odds are even less in your favor for your feline friend. Cats are surprisingly bad at killing rats, killing only two over a 79-day study.
Myth #3: Mice Aren’t a Major Threat
They look cute and feel soft, but you don’t want to ignore mice in your home. Mice aren’t aggressive, but their diseases and fecal matter are enough of a threat to remove them ASAP.
Myth #4: Mice Go Outside to Die
It’d be much easier for Baltimore mice exterminators to deal with infestations if this was the case. This myth began as a result of mice consuming poison, with homeowners believing the mice will go outside to seek water and then die. The reality is that mice will most likely succumb inside.
Myth #5: You Can Remove Mice with Sonic Pest Control Devices
This is a do-it-yourself mice removal method that typically backfires. The idea is to use high-frequency waves, undetected by humans, to drive away pests of all varieties from mice to cockroaches. The sound theoretically makes pests crazy as they head for cover.
A 2015 study by the University of Arizona concluded that sonic pest repellants are ineffective at controlling pest populations.
How to Effectively Rid of a Mouse Infestation
Since you can’t trap mice with cheese and ultrasonic sounds won’t drive them away, what can you do to get rid of them?
First, understand that do-it-yourself pest control will lead you to temporary results at best. This is because DIY pest control doesn’t get to the root of the problem. You’ll need to take additional action as a homeowner, and you will likely need the help of professional mice exterminators.
Mouse Infestation Prevention
In a perfect world, you can take action to prevent a mice infestation before it even begins. This is the easiest way to deal with a mice infestation.
Some courses of action to take include the following:
- Make sure human food and pet food are always sealed (this is also helpful for pests like ants)
- Seal cracks and gaps outside your home with caulk or steel wool
- Keep your exterior doors closed at all times
- Inspect boxes that you bring inside from the garage
- Store firewood at least 20 feet away from your home
The best course of action is to seek the assistance of mouse exterminators in Baltimore. Brody Brothers are one of the top Baltimore mice exterminators with plenty of experience in this area. Our process ensures the complete removal of your mice infestation in your home.
If you’re dealing with a mice infestation, contact Brody Brothers to get every mouse out of your house for good.
