Recognizing that you have mice in your home as quickly as possible is important so that you can address the problem swiftly. Mice can reproduce and multiply in your home, which can lead to a major infestation.
If you’re wondering how to tell if you have mice in your house, we’re here to help. We’ve rounded up some of the most common signs you have mice in your house so that you can take action.
How Do You Know if You Have Mice?
Because mice are pretty sneaky and can also move around inside of your walls (as opposed to out in the open where you’ll see them), it’s not uncommon to have a mouse problem without actually ever seeing a mouse.
That’s why we’re talking about some of the signs you have mice in your house. Some will be more obvious than others. Anytime you’re in doubt, you can reach out to a pest professional for help.
Signs You Have Mice In Your House
#1: Evidence of Droppings
Oftentimes people spot mouse droppings ahead of ever actually seeing a mouse. Droppings are most commonly found in areas where mice are most active. Since these invaders are likely trying to stay hidden, that might mean on high shelves or inside cupboards.
Of course, some mice get more daring at nighttime so in the morning you may find mouse droppings on the floors or counters. This is likely to show up in areas where mice might be finding food (usually the kitchen).
Mouse droppings look a lot like granular pellets or black rice.
#2: Scratching Noises
Of the various signs you have mice in your house this is a common one. Just like homeowners might see droppings but never see an actual mouse, you may hear sounds without ever seeing the source of them.
Mice do tend to be nocturnal creatures, meaning this is more likely to occur at night.
You may notice scratching or scurrying noises as mice move behind drywall, in attics and ceilings, and beneath floorboards and baseboards. The sound is due to their claws digging in as they scurry.
Mice also produce high-pitched squeaking sounds (kind of similar to birds) that people may hear as they scurry about.
#3: Signs of Chewing
Another possible sign of mice (or other rodents) is finding objects around your home that have been gnawed or chewed. Mice have teeth that are always growing so they need to chew.
Because of that, you may find wires, wood, furniture, bedding, and other things around the house that have been chewed on.
This is actually a serious fire hazard as mice chewing on wires can lead to an electrical fire. Mouse gnaw marks will look like they are jagged shaped.
#4: Bad Smells
So far we’ve addressed signs that you can see and hear…but sometimes there are also signs you have mice in your house that are related to smell! If you have a foul smell in your home, it could be related to a mouse problem.
Usually, these smells are due to urine, feces, and sometimes, dead mice.
If there is a bad smell emanating from a pantry or cabinets, along your baseboards, in your attic, or maybe even in an unidentified location, it’s important to check out. If you are too squeamish to investigate, call in a professional.
#5: A Change in Pet Behavior
Sometimes it is homeowners’ pets that alert them to something going on.
If you have a cat or dog that is showing a real interest in certain areas of your home, it could be that they’ve caught the sight or smell of a pest. Pets might start acting differently or seem unsettled.
For instance, some people have told us that their dog was barking at a wall or their cat seemed to be on the prowl all of the time. They didn’t notice anything but their pet sure did.
Pets often pick up on signs of an invader long before we do. They are better able to hear the high-pitched noises and notice the smell of these unwanted guests.
How to Get Rid of Mice
If you’ve seen a mouse or noticed some of these signs you have mice in your house then you want to get a solution underway quickly.
Reach out to pest control services in Pennsylvania so that an action plan can be created. This plan should not only include trapping existing mice but also looking at what might have caused the problem in the first place so that it can be prevented in the future.
A pest control professional should look at how mice are getting into your home. Addressing entry points is a key step to keep future mice away.
Small holes or openings which can be caulked or covered should be taken care of. This is all about preventing future reentry so that you do not continue to have a problem. Some pest control companies might only deal with your existing problem and get rid of mice in the walls. But if you aren’t looking at entry points, you’ll only continue to have trouble.
Your pest control professional can also talk to you about looking at potential mice “attractors” around your home. Usually, food sources are the key attractor for mice. Sealing up any open food is one important step in mouse-proofing your home.
Bear in mind that it could be food in the garage or outside of your home that is actually drawing mice closer (and then food inside of the house is keeping them there). If you have an open bag of dog food in the garage, for instance, this should be sealed up. Think about big bins or storage containers that you could use instead.
Even bird feeders can attract mice. Moving a bird feeder further from your home can discourage mice from finding their way in.
Ultimately, devising the solutions that are best for your property will depend upon your specific circumstances. Your pest control expert should help you come up with a plan that will help keep mice out of your home.
Investing in Professional Pest Control Services in Pennsylvania for Your Peace of Mind
We understand that you want to feel confident in the expert that you hire to get rid of mice. After all, you shouldn’t have to feel uncomfortable or on edge in your own home.
Because of that, you want to hire a pro who will implement an effective solution that not only addresses your current problem but helps you to feel confident you can keep mice out of your home in the future.
At Joshua Tree, our program is highly customized and specific to each property.
We will come up with a plan that will specifically address the issues you’re dealing with. If you already have a rodent problem, we’ll start there. But we’ll come up with other plans of action to address any other pest concerns you might have.
Ultimately, the visits and overall program are tailored to your wants and needs so once we’ve spoken to you or visited your home, we can give you even more information on what to expect. It all boils down to creating a solution so that you can get the peace of mind that you deserve.
If you're interested in learning more about pest control services for your Pennsylvania home, contact us for a free pest control quote or give us a call at 610-365-4858 so that we can answer your questions.
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