The Trick To Keeping Mice Out Of Your Naples Home
12/5/2021
House mice are the most common rodents found in Southwest Florida and among the most common mammals across the United States. Responsible for invading millions of homes each year, mice can be found in all types of conditions, from grasslands and forests to apartment buildings and residential homes.
House mice prefer to live in structures, whether inside or outdoors, and they like to live around people, as it affords them access to food, water, and shelter.
These small critters, which measure just two inches long, are skilled climbers, swimmers, and jumpers. They also eat between 15 and 20 times a day to maintain all this activity—and individually leave behind 40 to 100 droppings per day! The presence of house mice droppings in the home isn’t only a sanitary concern, but it endangers the health and well-being of those who live in and frequent there.
Read on for more about the dangers of house mice in your home and tips on house mice prevention.
Dangers Of House Mice
House mice may not seem like the most dangerous house pests, but they pose several risks to homeowners. These risks, as described below, pertain to human health and well-being and the structure of the home, which is aggravated by the population of mice involved in infestations.
- To Health And Well-being: Mice are known for carrying diseases, including salmonella, hantavirus, leptospirosis, tularemia, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis—and that’s only a few, as mice are known to carry up to 200 human pathogens. Mice are also known for carrying parasites, such as mites, fleas, ticks, and lice, which have their own diseases. If mice contaminate food or surfaces where food is prepared or consumed, those living and visiting the home are at risk of contracting these bacteria.
- To The Home: To build these nests, mice gnaw away at insulation, wiring, and other parts of a home’s structure. They’ll also look to anything readily available to them to use for their nests, such as wood, fabric, clothing, paper, and books. Because mice chew through the home structure, it’s common for them to gnaw at electrical wiring, resulting in short circuits and malfunctioning, and pose a fire hazard.
- Mice Population: Even a single mouse can cause damage to a home; however, one mouse usually signifies that there are many more nearby. Mice populate quickly, as females can produce offspring five to 10 times a year, yielding litters of up to 14 pups. This makes it difficult for homeowners to get a handle on all the mice in a home infestation.
Mouse Prevention Tips
Mice are small but stealthy and vigilant, and they’ll seek out ways to enter your home. To prevent these pests from becoming a problem in yours, consider the following three suggestions:
- Seal All Entry Points Around The Home: Mice can fit their bodies through extra tiny holes, so it’s essential to stay abreast of damage to the foundation and exterior-facing walls and doors and seal any cracks with caulk.
- Use The Proper Materials For Repairs: There are several materials that mice can chew through, so if you are making repairs to your home, be sure to avoid using a soft vinyl, plastic, wood, rubber, and low-gauge aluminum or fiberglass-based screening.
- Rid Your Yard Of Debris: Clear organic debris from your yard space, such as fallen leaves and branches, as well as any trash. Trim shrubbery to be at least three feet away from your home. Also, be sure to trim trees with branches that hang over or onto your roof, as this can provide mice with access to upper floors.
The Most Important Tip- Call The Professionals
Since its founding, the family-owned and operated professionals at Keller’s Pest Control have been eradicating house mice infestations. With year-round pest treatment options in Naples designed to fit your home’s specific needs, we’ll tackle these house mice for you—and give you back your peace of mind.
