If you reached for your spring boots and found a horde of food stashed inside, you'd know something wasn't right, and that you might have pests in your home. If you found clothing that has been chewed or nests made from shredded material, you'd know you could have creepy, crawly company. Unlike insects, pests (mice in particular) don't always leave a noticeable trace. What are some of the less obvious signs of a mouse infestation? Let's take a look:
6 Less Obvious Signs of a Mouse Infestation
- Scratching sounds: These tend to be fairly faint, and are much quieter than that of a squirrel crossing your roof. Unless you can identify exactly what is causing the noise, assume that a mouse is responsible.
- Urine and feces: The strong smell of ammonia is definitive, positive proof that you're dealing with a mouse infestation. The feces are small (roughly the size of a half to full grain of rice), and dark brown to black in color. If you've spotted feces, make sure to spray them with a cleaning solution such as Lysol or a bleach-based solution to kill any germs before you try to wipe them up.
- Traffic near walls: If you notice that there's a relatively clear path (that is otherwise dusty) next to the wall under furniture, you have an infestation on your hands. Mice have poor eyesight, and tend to take the same path along a wall over and over again. In addition, you may notice dirt smudges and fur along your baseboards.
- Chewing damage: Did you find a hole in a box, bag, or piece of furniture? Mice will chew to gain access to shelter and food. They also chew to gain materials to shred and make into nests. This is how they pave the way for new generations of mice.
- Pet interest in an area: If you have a cat or dog who is suddenly fascinated by a particular cupboard, shelf, or section of wall, there's a very good chance that they're hearing what you can't- mice moving around.
- Spotting a mouse: This may seem like a no-brainer, but if you're seeing one or two mice, there are likely others that are still hanging out in your walls, ceilings, and floors.
Now that you know what to look for, you can take proper measures to remove any rodents from your home, and prevent any further damage and health problems. If you need the job done quickly, please feel free to contact us today. At Breda Pest Management, we've spent the past 40 years building a business based on exceptional customer service and technical excellence.
