Updated: December 20, 2021
November 16-22 is Rodent Awareness Week
So you clicked on this blog post because you want to know how to keep mice out of the house.
Franklin Pest Solutions encourages public awareness of rodents during the winter season
It’s getting colder and colder across the country every day. If they haven’t already started doing so, rodents will begin to seek shelter from the elements, just like you and I are trying to do! And where else would they look for comfort, a nice food source and a safe place to hide but our houses?! Franklin Pest Solutions is proud to join National Pest Management Association (NPMA) from November 16-22, in recognizing Rodent Awareness Week, educating everyone we can about the threat of rodents and the possible signs of an infestation this winter.
Mouse Diseases & Threats
Aside from being a nuisance, rodents are vectors of a vast array of diseases, such as Salmonella, murine typhus, infectious jaundice, rat-bite fever and the potentially fatal Hantavirus. They can also chew through drywall, insulation, wood and electrical wiring, increasing the potential risk for fires.
“Rodents may be small, but they pose a number of threats to human health and property,” said Wayne Magnuson, Franklin Pest Solutions Hammond Branch Manager. “House mice are most likely to cause problems in northwest Indiana this time of year, so it’s important for homeowners to be on the lookout for signs of these destructive pests in and around their property.”
Deer mice in snowy burrows
5 clues that you need mouse pest control
Think you might have some rodent activity, but you’re not 100% sure? Check out the top 5 signs to watch out for below:
- Droppings: A trail of rodent droppings is typically found in kitchen cabinets and pantries, along walls, on top of wall studs or beams, and in boxes, bags and old furniture.
- Noises: Rodents often make scurrying sounds, especially at night, as they move about and nest.
- Gnaw marks: New gnaw marks tend to be rough to the touch and are light colored.
- Burrows: Inside, rodents often nest in various materials such as insulation, and they are drawn to areas that are dark and secluded.
- Damaged food packages: House mice prefer to feed on cereals and seeds, while Norway rats prefer meat, fish and dry dog food.
House mouse droppings on basement floor
If you have any of the above signs happening in your house, it might be time to take some action. You can go buy some bait blocks at the hardware store and hope you put them in the right spots to eliminate these things on your own…OR you can hire a professional to help you solve the problem the first time without throwing money away on gimmicks. If you’ve been battling mice year after year and think there’s no way to solve it EVER, think again. We’ve got a permanent solution.
9 Tips on How to keep mice out of the house
“We encourage homeowners to complete a thorough inspection of their property before the winter weather strikes. They should look for cracks or holes in the foundation, loose mortar around the basement foundation and damaged screens,” added Magnuson. “No crack or hole should be overlooked as mice only need an opening the size of a dime to find a way inside.”
- Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the structure using caulk, steel wool or a combination of both.
- Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows.
- Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens.
- Screen vents and openings to chimneys.
- Keep attics, basements and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry. Consider using a dehumidifier in these areas.
- Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly.
- Keep exterior doors shut at all times.
- Inspect items such as boxes of decorations and grocery bags before bringing them indoors.
- Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and keep shrubbery trimmed and cut back from the house.
Deer mouse on wood
See additional mouse pest control tips here.
And it might be more affordable than you realize! Get a free quote now!
Check out our Healthy Home Maintenance Program for more information on year-round prevention pest solutions!
