House mice have an oval-shaped body covered in light brown or gray fur. Their underbellies are a lighter color, and there is a thin layer of fur on their tails. Including their tail, house mice can range from 5 to 8 ½ inches long. They have small round ears and a pointed nose.
This species is the most common home-invading rodent in the United States. This may be due to their dependent relationship with humans that has developed over hundreds of years, living in close proximity. Like other rodents, house mice rely on people to provide adequate food and shelter from natural predators.
Although house mice rely on people, you don't have to enjoy their presence on your Houston property, mainly because they are a nuisance and dangerous. If you want to remain stress-free about mice, keep reading below to learn what the area's experts have to say.
Dangers Of House Mice
Although they are small, don't let house mice fool you. They carry diseases, parasites and can cause extensive damage once they have infested a property. Here is a comprehensive list of all issues this rodent can cause for Houston residents:
- Spreading salmonella, leptospirosis, hantavirus, and more diseases
- Contaminating food and surfaces
- Triggering allergies and asthma with their shed fur and feces
- Spreading fleas and ticks, which can cause other diseases and problems
- Leaving feces and urine throughout your property
- Damaging the structure of your home by chewing through wood, insulation, and drywall
- Using materials from your home to build nests
- Causing fire and flood hazards by chewing through wires and pipes
- Damaging personal belongings by chewing them or with urine and feces
Because of their prolific nature, there is rarely just 'one little mouse.' If you see signs of a mouse in your home, chances are there isn't just one. Since this is the case, eradicating house mice on your own is nearly impossible and is better left to professionals. However, there are prevention tips you can use to keep a mouse infestation from happening.
House Mice Prevention Tips
House mice only need a hole the size of a dime to squeeze through, so prevention can prove to be complicated. What makes it worse is that they can chew through many materials, which means you need to seal entry points with something they can't chew through. The following list is handy info for what materials to use, along with other prevention tips:
- When sealing potential entry points, you should fill holes with steel wool and use caulking to seal. If there are entry points you can't fill, use bricks to block them off. Entry points may be around the foundation, exterior walls, and roofline. You should also check spaces around air conditioners and where utility lines enter your home. Plus, it would be best if you also placed mesh covers over vents.
- Keep both the interior and exterior of your home clutter-free. By removing unnecessary debris such as excess foliage, you will reduce hiding places.
- Clean up any food debris, keep food stored in air-tight containers, remove bird feeders from your property, and use garbage and compost bins with tight-fitting lids to reduce food sources.
- Address any moisture issues, such as leaking pipes and faucets.
These tips will help keep mice away, but they won't get rid of an active infestation. For that, you should seek expert services.
Effective House Mice Removal
The best, most effective way to get rid of a mouse infestation is with help from professionals. If you live in Houston, call All-Safe Pest & Termite for house mice control and services. Don't try to get rid of this pest yourself, and it can be dangerous to use traps and baits. Call our qualified team at All-Safe Pest & Termite today!