Mice are a serious problem that can cause extensive damage. They are a common pest that invades 21 million homes each winter.
Scratching and squeaking noises from walls or ceilings are the first signs of mice infestation. Droppings and urine are the next clues. To avoid mice infestation, keep crumbs and food trash sealed and remove soft nesting materials. Contact Mice Removal Service Texas now!
A professional mouse exclusion service seals entry points on a property and creates a preventative plan to keep mice from returning. This process involves identifying and sealing spaces where mice can enter a home, such as gable vents, chimney caps, and exterior doors. Identifying and repairing these spaces can be labor intensive, and the materials needed can vary in cost.
The effectiveness of a rodent exclusion plan depends on the expertise of the pest management professionals and the quality of the products used. Expanding foams, which are often marketed as energy-efficient products, are not recommended for rodent exclusion. These foams can cause the walls of a home to grow, and the cracks created are difficult to remove. The best way to seal these gaps is with sheet metal, concrete, woven hardware cloth, or other aesthetically appropriate and permanent materials.
In addition to securing a home’s entry points, the pest control technician will often recommend making the home less appealing to mice by reducing available food sources and removing shelters. This can include storing wood piles away from a house, trimming overgrown trees and shrubs, and fixing leaky gutters.
Mice can chew through electrical wires, causing costly damage to the structure of a home and the appliances within it. In addition, mice carry a variety of dangerous diseases and parasites, including Hantavirus, Lyme Disease, Salmonella, and others. These diseases can be spread through direct contact or by breathing in airborne particles.
While the initial cost of a professional mice exclusion may be higher than tossing a few poison packets around, the long term costs are much more affordable. In fact, the average homeowner can save $600 a year by investing in a good exclusion and prevention project.
It’s also important to remember that while a professional exclusion will effectively exclude the mice, they won’t stop the population from reproducing. This means that once the current population is under control, it will be important to practice consistent prevention, which includes regular visits from a qualified pest management company.
Trapping
When rodents infest a house, they will seek out food and shelter in whatever areas are most accessible. Kitchens and pantries provide an easy supply of food, while garages and basements offer hiding places and protection from the elements. In order to prevent mice from entering these spaces, it is necessary to seal any gaps larger than one-fourth inch wide. This process is called exclusion, and it can be done by a professional pest control technician.
A professional pest control technician will conduct an inspection of the property, identify any areas where mice are entering and present a plan for how the problem can be corrected. The cost of the service will depend on the size of the house and how many different structures need to be treated. The amount of traps needed and the type of bait used will also affect price.
Traditional snap traps are the safest option for mice removal, as they do not use poisonous materials that can harm pets or children. However, they can be difficult to set and may require the patience of a homeowner.
Another method of trapping mice is to place bait stations, which contain rodenticides, on the outside of a home. While these are a viable solution, they must be checked regularly to ensure that the bait is still intact and that no mice have escaped. Traps containing live mice can also be a good option, as long as they are monitored regularly and the mice are released several miles away from the residence.
The time required for a mouse infestation to be eliminated will vary depending on the severity of the infestation and the number of mice. Even when the population is reduced to a few mice, it is important that all entry points be sealed to prevent them from returning.
Homeowners can help reduce the chances of a mice infestation by regularly inspecting their homes for any signs of rodent activity. They should also clean up debris and eliminate food sources such as bird feeders, stacks of paper and loose garbage around the house. Trimming overgrown vegetation and keeping gutters and downspouts clear will also improve the odds of preventing an infestation.
Sealing
Rodents like mice can cause serious damage to homes and businesses, destroying insulation, contaminating food and water, and spreading diseases including Salmonella, Bubonic Plague, and tapeworms. They can also destroy electrical wiring, leading to house fires. Homeowners can take a number of steps to protect their property from rodents, such as repairing gaps and cracks, covering vents and chimneys, and trimming vegetation close to the house. Pest control services offer more comprehensive solutions, identifying and sealing entry points and providing recommendations on how to make the property less attractive to rodents.
Mice can squeeze through openings the size of a dime, making it important to inspect both interior and exterior areas for potential entry points. A professional pest control company can identify and seal these openings, as well as install rodent-proof materials such as steel wool, concrete, or sheet metal in areas where pipes, vents, and wires enter buildings. Additionally, they can install wire mesh in crawl spaces and basements to prevent mouse access.
Homeowners can help prevent future infestations by maintaining a clean and tidy house, keeping food in sealed containers, and throwing away trash in rodent-proof containers. They should also seal any holes and cracks larger than a pencil, and regularly check for new openings, especially following severe weather or construction work.
A mice infestation can be difficult to control without the assistance of a professional, particularly for large or repeated infestations. Pest control companies have the tools, equipment, and experience to deal with even the most persistent rodent problems, preventing future damage and saving customers money and peace of mind.
A professional pest control service can help homeowners and business owners get rid of mice quickly, safely, and permanently. They can also recommend preventative treatments that are safe for pets and children, as well as address sanitation issues that attract rodents. These include securing garbage in rodent-proof containers and eliminating outdoor food sources like bird feeders. Lastly, they can install repellents along the home’s perimeter, which can last from a few weeks to a few months depending on the chemical and application quantity.
Inspection
Mice are a destructive pest that can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your walls, electrical wires and roofing. They can also spread harmful diseases such as Hantavirus and Leptospirosis. A professional mice control service will eliminate the infestation, restore your home and show you how to prevent future invasions.
If you suspect a mouse problem, it is important to act quickly before the mice population grows out of control. Mice are fast breeders and can easily multiply to the point where you are battling an overwhelming infestation. A professional will have the tools and knowledge to effectively remove the mice and seal the entry points to your home.
When you contact a pest control company to schedule your initial visit, the technician will conduct an interior and exterior inspection to identify areas of interest and determine the extent of the damage. Once this is complete, the specialist will create a plan for trap placement, bait usage and mouse removal. All of this will be based on your specific situation and align with the company’s commitment to humane mouse pest control.
The cost of mice control will vary depending on the size of your home, severity of the infestation and type of treatment needed. For example, a general pest control plan typically treats mild rodent problems with monthly visits and costs between $150 to $450. If a more severe problem exists, it may require fumigation and cost significantly more.
Homeowners can help to prevent a mouse infestation by reducing the amount of food, garbage and other items that are left out for rodents to consume or use as hiding places. They can also store food and trash in rodent-proof containers or on higher shelves where mice cannot reach them. Keep wood piles well away from your home, as mice love to nest in them. Also, trim back any shrubs and bushes that are touching the house and blocking the chimney and vents.
It is also a good idea to make your home less attractive to mice by sealing gaps and cracks around doors and windows. This can be done by using caulk or steel wool to fill these areas. You can also seal any open spaces under sinks where pipes and electrical cords are exposed.