Mice are an interesting pest because many people don’t even worry about them in the same way they worry about pests like spiders, ants, and wasps. However, the house mouse is actually one of the most common home-invading pests in the Lakewood area.
While they are a tiny rodent that only gets to be around 6-8 inches long including their tails, they are more destructive and dangerous than you may know. Mice are sometimes kept as pets, but the common house mouse is an invasive pest that can pose many health risks.
What Do House Mice Look Like?
You probably have a general idea of what mice look like, but each mouse species can look slightly different. Mice are also easily confused with rats, especially baby rats. The common house mouse can be identified by its brownish-grey color with pointed noses and large ears. They also have tails that are fairly long in proportion to their bodies, unlike rats who have shorter, thicker tails.
Why Are Mice Considered Dangerous?
Mice might seem harmless or even cute, but they can cause many health issues from diseases to respiratory problems. Here are just a few of the risks associated with having mice in your home:
- Mice can spread about 35 different diseases including hantavirus and salmonella.
- Their urine, feces, and even fur can cause allergic reactions and asthma attacks.
- If the infestation is large enough, mice feces can build up in walls and cause respiratory problems.
- Mice can contaminate food.
- They introduce parasites such as fleas and ticks into homes.
- While rare, mice do occasionally bite.
Along with all of these health risks, mice can also cause property damage and create safety issues as they commonly gnaw through plumbing, electrical wires, drywall, and more.
The Issues With Preventing And Removing Mice
Since mice are a harmful pest, you might be wondering how you can prevent them. While you can take steps to seal up access points and keep your kitchen clean, mice are generally difficult to prevent. This is because they are great at hiding in places like the inside of walls and under flooring. They can slip through holes the size of a dime which makes exclusion a challenge.
Once an infestation has begun, an additional challenge is the prolific nature of mice. Their numbers can grow quickly, and it’s difficult to eliminate every mouse. While common mouse-removal techniques such as traps might get a few of the mice, they rarely remove the infestation. Bait traps are also not always effective, and they can be dangerous as their bright colors are attractive to young children and pets.
How To Get Complete Mouse Control
While mice might be small, they are a dangerous pest to have around your Lakewood home. While you can take steps to keep mice out, they are difficult to deter and even more difficult to remove. Instead of trying to get rid of an infestation on your own, let the experts at Bugaboo Pest Control handle the problem. Our trained technicians are usually available for same or next-day services, so we get rid of mice as soon as you notice them. Find out more about our mouse control options by giving us a call today at (732) 370-7638.
Social media: While mice might be tiny creatures, they are much more dangerous and destructive than many realize. Read on to learn everything you need to know about mice including how to protect your home.
