Cold weather is slowly creeping in to our area and along with it are families of mice seeking shelter and food for the winter. With our busy schedules no one really wants to deal with mouse infestations, especially with the holidays and family activities that are planned.
There are 2 common species of mice that invade homes as soon as cold weather hits; the deer mouse and the house mouse.
The deer mouse has a two-tone coloration, usually a tawny brown (sometimes gray) on its back with a dividing line between its white belly. They nest outside around the roots of trees, under boards or logs, in stumps or woodpiles, in sheds, and abandoned vehicles or equipment. They can gain access into your home in various ways and once inside their favorite nesting sites include but are not limited to; drawers, storage cabinets in garages, items stored in attics, upholstered furniture, wall voids, & corner sill plates in basements and crawlspaces.
The house mouse is light brown or gray to black in color with lighter bellies. The house mouse makes it home in farm fields and grassy and wooded areas that are dark and protected from the elements. They gain access into your home thru openings where pipes or lines enter your home and gaps beneath doors. They build their nests in materials such as insulation and other soft materials.
Once inside both species can cause damage to your home by chewing on wires, cutting holes in your walls, and contaminating your food.
Here are some tips to prevent mice from entering your home:
- Seal all cracks, crevices, holes and gaps larger than a pen cap with cement or a mixing compound.
- Wash dishes immediately following use.
- Store food in glass or metal containers with tight lids.
- Keep counters, table tops and floors free of food particles, crumbs or morsels.
Try as we may to protect our homes from rodent infestations, there is always the possibility that our efforts may fail. If you have a rodent problem in your home contact your local pest control specialist. Don’t wait until the problem becomes overwhelming. Mice can reproduce every 3 weeks having a litter of 4 to 12 babies each time.
