3 Facts About Mice You May Not Have Known
Posted on: 22 August 2018
Mice may be small, but they can make a big impact on your home and health. Not only will they eat through wiring and insulation, but they can also leave behind dangerous fecal matter that contains harmful germs and bacteria. Mice are common, so many homeowners will see one or more mice in or around their house at one point in time, but many will not understand how these rodents affect their home and family's lives. Here are a few surprising facts about mice.
They Can Enter Small Openings
If you walk around your home, you may not see any cracks or crevices that could allow a mouse into the house. However, you may be surprised by how small of an opening a mouse can squeeze through.
The skeleton of a mouse is very flexible. While it will not collapse as many people believe, a mouse's head and collarbone are aerodynamic. Therefore, if their head can squeeze through an opening, the rest of their body can, too.
Small gaps in the foundation, openings around windows and door frames, vents for the foundation or dryer, chimneys, and even pipes and HVAC lines are all suitable spaces for mice to enter the home.
Use caulking to seal up gaps and crevices. Also, wire mesh is effective for closing up openings to vents, pipes, and lines. Invest in a chimney cap for your fireplace chimney as well.
They Hate the Cold
Mice can survive the cold, but they do not like it. When temperatures begin to dip in the fall and winter seasons, mice will look for warmth wherever they can find it. Unfortunately, your house will most likely feel warm even from the outside, so this will be the time when mice will try to enter your home.
Make sure to seal openings before the colder seasons start. Place traps in parts of your home to catch any mice that do make it into your home. Attics, basements, and crawl spaces are the most common areas to catch mice because these spaces are usually dark and quiet.
They Gnaw and Chew and Gnaw and Chew Some More
Most people are surprised by how much damage mice can do inside their home. These small rodents have sharp incisor teeth that grow each day, increasing their desire and need to gnaw and chew.
Mice will gnaw on whatever they can find including cardboard boxes, wires, furniture, books, cabinets, and even doors and molding.
If you are worried about mice entering your home, contact professionals of pest control services to design a plan of action.
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