Are You Struggling With A House Mouse Infestation?

Growing up to four inches long with light-colored bellies and dark fur, house mice are easy to spot and recognize as rodents. Unfortunately, identifying house mouse infestations aren't always as easy – these pests can be tricky to locate. Here's what Raleigh homeowners struggling with a house mouse infestation should know about the signs of an infestation, what problems mice can cause, what pest control in Raleigh can do to help, and how to get rid of mice naturally.

Signs You May Be Dealing With A Mouse Infestation

How long can mice live without food? House mice can only survive around four days without food and water. Since they're so dependent on a food source, these pests like to find homes that provide them with easy access to these things. But mice don't always live out in the open, and it can take months before homeowners realize they are there.

Here are the signs of an infestation you'll want to watch out for:

• Musty Odor: As the infestation grows, mice can produce a musty, pungent odor that lingers around your home or certain parts of the house. This smell can develop from a couple of different things. Urine and droppings will build up and result in a smell that grows stronger as the infestation worsens, but house mice that die in your home can also emit a foul odor.
• Scratching In The Walls: Does it ever seem like there's scratching or squeaking coming from the walls during the night? The culprit is probably house mice. As they scurry around in the walls, you might hear these mice noises around the house.
• Droppings: Droppings are a big indicator of a house mouse infestation. Mice droppings tend to be small, dark, and about the size of a grain of rice. The longer they're left out in the open, the more likely droppings will disintegrate into dust.
• Smudge Marks: Mice like to use the same routes when they travel across your home, and their oily, greasy bodies can leave grease marks along baseboards and walls when they scurry around.

If you notice these or other signs of a house mouse infestation, it is essential to take action quickly as mouse populations can grow out of control in no time.

Mice Can Cause Problems In Your Home

More than just causing a little racket or leaving waste in your home, mice can be a serious danger to you and your family. Some of the biggest problems that mice cause in Raleigh homes include:

• They can spread dangerous diseases like tularemia, hantavirus, and salmonella through their waste and urine, as well as direct contact.
• They often bring parasites like ticks, mites, and fleas, into your home, which can spread other diseases and harm your pets or family.
• They chew through plastic, wood, and other materials to create and build nests in your home.

Even if the signs of house mouse infestations are subtle, the damage and disease they spread are not.

The Easiest Way To Get Rid Of Mice In Raleigh

How fast can mice reproduce? Mice can give birth to ten litters within a year, so house mouse infestations can grow quickly. That's why it's important to eradicate mice in your home, and the easiest way to do this is with help from Go-Forth Home Services. With over sixty years of pest control experience, we've dealt with house mice, field mice, and any other rodents that may invade your Raleigh home.

If you see signs of a house mouse infestation listed above, you don't want to continue putting yourself or your family at risk. Contact us today at Go-Forth Home Services to learn more about our rodent control services and how we can get rid of the mice in your home.

Natural Ways To Keep Mice Away From Your Home

The best way to rid mice and other rodents is by keeping them away in the first place. You can do this by following these tips:

• Use locking or tight lids on trash and garbage cans to make sure mice can't access the food remnants inside.
• Store your leftovers in sealed containers, and don't leave food sitting out on counters or out in the open.
• Clean dirty dishes each day to avoid mice feeding on the food particles left on plates.
• Use rodent-proof materials, like caulk or steel wool, to seal up any gaps or cracks around your home that mice may use as entry points.

Along with the tips above, keeping a close, working relationship with a Raleigh pest control company like Go-Forth Home Services can also help you keep mice away.