Suddenly Have Mice in the Home? Here is Why

Spotting a mouse, or worse, a rat, in the home can be very unnerving.

While these furry little rodents can appear cute under certain circumstances, finding one in the larder is anything but.

One of the worrying points of finding out that you have mice in the home, is wondering why?

Are you doing something wrong that you have attracted pests, or is it just one of those things?

Here is why you may be experiencing mice in the home. And also, some ways you can prevent them from appearing again, and remove them if they do.

Why are mice residing in your home?

Restaurants and take-aways are used to dealing with pests. With all the waste food that these businesses create, it is no wonder they are attractive to rodents and other pests.

It isn’t unusual for a take-away to face issues with bin-loving foxes for instance. Yet, residential properties can also find themselves under siege on occasion.

Mice need the same things that humans do; namely shelter and food.

Your house is very attractive to a family of mice, and if you happen to have food lying around, then all the better.

They like to gain access to homes through holes, cracks, and broken vents. If your home has issues with sealing then this may be why you are starting to see mice.

How can you stop mice from being attracted to your home?

You won’t want to make your home too unappealing. After all, a warm home is just as necessary to you as it is to your unwanted visitors.

However, some areas can be adjusted to make it less welcoming to mice.

Firstly, seal up any entry points that mice could use. Cracks, broken vents, and any broken screens or shutters will give access to mice. Fix these.

Remove food sources. This means stop leaving leftovers on the sideboard, clear up any spillages or crumbs. Put cereals and other food items into sealed jars or Tupperware. Don’t keep any unsealed food packets in the larder or other cupboards.

If you cannot rid yourself of mice this way, then you may need outside help. Using professional mice control may be the only way to remove an infestation.

How can you remove a mice infestation?

Clutter and firewood are other attractions to mice. They like to burrow, so if you allow things to build up, you will be providing them with a nice place to nest.

You could welcome a cat into your home, as one method of mice control. Traps are also a possibility.

Mice are smart critters. Once they are aware of a cat prowling around the home, they will start travelling through walls out of sight.

In this case, it will be the moment to call in a pest control firm. These companies use humane methods to dispose of mice and other pests in homes.

Are there dangers to having mice inside your home?

The Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management lists a number of issues with mice in the home.

They can cause damage to areas of the home that may not be visible to you. For instance, mice love to chew up insulation. Electrical wiring can appear to be a tasty treat to a mouse.

If you have mice chewing on wiring then at best your appliances may stop working, at worst they could give you a fire hazard.

They also like to chew on books, papers, and furniture.

Do mice represent health issues for you or your household?

When mice are looking for food, they can be attracted to whatever you are using to feed your pets. They can then contaminate this food in several ways, leading to health risks for your pets.

There are also health concerns for humans if mice are living in the same house.

According to the BPCA, mice need to mark their territory with urine. This can lead to food becoming contaminated which leads to food poisoning.

It is no secret that mice can carry diseases such as listeria and salmonella, both of which could be fatal. Listeria itself is one of the foremost causes of death when it comes to food poisoning.

Summary

Having pests in the home is rarely a pleasant experience. Not only are they unnerving to spot in the home, but pests can lead to health issues too.

Just a few years ago, a Southport man was hospitalised through an insect bite. While this is an extreme example, pests in the home can deliver some very real health concerns including asthma.

Pests such as mice can also damage a home. They burrow into walls and damage electrical wiring, and they sometimes chew on important documents or even paintings.

If you have mice in the home, you can make the place less appealing by removing clutter and food sources. You could introduce a cat to the property. Or, you may need to bring in the professionals.