One of the most shocking and unnerving discoveries our clients in Camas express to us is that moment when they uncover a mice infestation — indicated by that gnawed open bag of birdseed in the shed or the unmistakable pile of mouse droppings discovered while getting holiday decorations out of the attic. It’s unexpected, it can be stressful, and, for lack of a better word, it’s gross!
Mice — while undeniably cute little creatures — can carry diseases, cause a great deal of property damage, or even pose serious safety risks in your home and on your property. Our recommendation is to call upon professional extermination services (like those we offer at Aspen Pest Control) so that you can be confident that your home has been thoroughly inspected, the infestation has been dealt with at its source, and that the pests have been exterminated and removed.
Mice and other rodents mate and reproduce rather quickly. For instance, the house mouse’s gestation period (the span of time including conception, development, and birth) is about three weeks and results in anywhere from three to fifteen pups. Not only that, but they can give birth as often as ten times per year! Point being, if you have evidence of a mouse infestation, you should act fast before their population grows, the problem becomes more complicated, and the likelihood of damage increases.
HOW DID I GET A MICE INFESTATION?
Simply put: you have the resources in and around your Camas home that they need to survive and thrive. Namely, food, water, and shelter. If you have outdoor trash, recycling, or compost bins that are accessible, bird feeders, or other sources of food, this will attract pests like mice to spend time on your property, causing them to root around for other sources of nourishment. If your home has any damage or access points that the mice can take advantage of, then they’ll likely make their way inside for safety, warmth, and food and water.
Make certain that your trash, recycling, and compostables are in sealed containers. If you’re an avid bird watcher, make sure that the extra seed is also stored in a sealed container, and consider keeping the feeder at a reasonable distance from your home to decrease the likelihood of mice entering the home. If you have pets, keep your yard free of their waste, and make certain to not store their food outside.
If your house (or other buildings susceptible to infestation) has gaps under doors, cracks in its foundation, or holes or other breaches that allow entry, seal them up in a manner recommended by home maintenance experts. For instance, using steel or copper wool around where pipes or other utilities enter the home is a great mouse deterrent. The metal wool gets wrapped around their teeth preventing them from chewing through the material and gaining entry to your home.
ARE MICE DANGEROUS?
Mice are not predatory, vicious creatures. They are, by nature, omnivores who dine primarily on seeds, fruit, and grains, but will eat anything they can get their paws on to feed their voracious appetites. Being that they eat 15-20 times per day, they like to be close to a steady source of food, making your home and property particularly vulnerable — especially during the winter months. Just like snowbirds seeking the warmer climates of the south, mice will try to venture inside our homes because they’re warm, dry, and filled with sources of food and water. The problem is that mice spread germs, carry diseases, and can cause a great deal of property damage.
Mice urine and feces can contain bacteria linked to diseases such as salmonella, and hantavirus. Once these substances become airborne or contaminate food sources, they can be ingested by humans, triggering asthma or worse.
If you plan to clean up mouse waste, take the proper precautions! It can be dangerous. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends waiting until an infestation has been eradicated and making sure to ventilate (and leave!) the space you’re planning to clean for at least a half-hour.
BE CAUTIOUS DURING CLEANUP
Once it’s time to begin cleaning, DO NOT sweep or vacuum any waste or nesting materials. This will cause it to become airborne, which is precisely what you don’t want to do. Make sure to wear gloves (vinyl, latex, rubber, etc.) and a mask or ventilator during cleanup. Using a bleach water solution, generously spray the affected area and let it soak for at least five minutes.
Use paper towels to clean up all waste, and properly discard them in the trash before cleaning the rest of the area, including any objects that may have been affected by the mice. The bleach water solution can be used to clean countertops and tile or linoleum floors. Thoroughly wash hands and any other body parts exposed to the elements during this process, and don’t forget to wash your clothes, as well!
CAN RODENTS DAMAGE MY HOME?
Yes! Very much so, and in a variety of ways. Mice commonly cause property damage, due in part to their constantly growing teeth. A mouse’s incisors — their front and most recognizable teeth — regrow in their entirety every month to month-and-a-half. Because of this excessive growth, mice are constantly gnawing at just about everything that comes their way including items in your home like food containers, concrete, insulation, and even electrical wiring. Yes, their teeth really are strong enough to chew through concrete, which, naturally, can cause considerable damage to your home over time. If mice infiltrate your home’s insulation, they’ll likely litter the materials with feces and urine, creating the sort of dangerous airborne bacteria we’ve previously mentioned. When it comes to electrical wiring, damage from mice can increase your home and property’s risk of fire damage by exposing or destroying wires. Again, this reinforces the need to call upon professionals as soon as you believe you are facing a mouse infestation.
CALL ASPEN PEST CONTROL FOR CAMAS MOUSE INFESTATIONS
To get you the best possible results, we always use a strategic and comprehensive approach to eradicating rodents that infest your home and property. Our child- and pet-safe combination of bait, trapping, and exclusion techniques have been designed, tested, and proven to quickly and effectively decrease rodent populations while also preventing future infestations.
We’ve used these methods hundreds, if not thousands, of times for your friends and neighbors in the Camas area. You can feel confident when you choose Aspen Pest Control, that your mice-related stress and headaches will be a thing of the past. Our commitment to our clients is based on results. When we treat your home for mice, rodents, or other pests, your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. We even dispose of dead mice so you don’t have to. Let our team of experts take care of you, every step of the way!
Need assistance with a mouse infestation? Questions about pest treatment plans? Curious about where and how to start? Please, give us a call! We’d be happy to pay you a visit and get you a free quote, starting you on the path to a less stressful, pest-free life. Call us today to learn how!
