A mice infestation can pose a lot of problems for you and your home. These problems manifest in a lot of ways, from property damage to health risks (such as Rat-Bite Fever and Hantavirus). If left unchecked, it would become extremely harmful for you and your family.
One way to stop this problem is to get to the source. Finding out how they behave and where they nest can do wonders as the first step in their eradication. Let us look at the steps on how you can find a mouse nest.
Mouse Nests and Where to Find Them
When looking for mouse nests, the usual locations tend to be within the kitchen area. Double-check the various corners and spaces like behind appliances and in cupboards. Also check drawers, behind drywall, and garage clutter as well. Take note of visible signs (which we will shed light into in a bit.)
Mouse nests vary in terms of the materials used. They use any available material within the area. These use of paper, fabric, string, or any material. As long as it is easy to shred and transport with their small bodies.
Also, due to their rather shy nature, they confine their activities within a small radius. This explains the small dome-shaped structure of their nests. All while sporting only one exit hole.
As mice breed often, they increase in number at a rapid pace. Female mice tend to have a littler comprising of five to twelve pups. A mouse nest can house an average of a dozen to a couple of dozen mice.
Mice tend to nest in areas that are warm and dry. They make sure it is well-protected and close to a food source.
Signs of Mice Infestation
As mice tend to live near humans, these critters would find ways to nest in various structures where people live and dwell. Settling near manmade structures grants these critters easy access to food and shelter.
With this in mind, you can find visible signs of infestation around your home. You will know that you have mice in your home when you see them. Let us look at these signs.
1. Squeaking and Skittering Sounds
You would know that you have a mice infestation when you hear squeaking and skittering inside your walls or ceilings. These tend to be more evident during the evening, as mice tend to be active around these times.
When you make a sound, you would hear them stop. After a while, when they feel safe, you can hear them again.
2. Strong Ammonia Scent
There is this unmistakable scent that can tell you that you have mice in your home. Mice urine has a strong and distinct ammonia odor to it. This scent becomes more prominent around their nest or feeding spots.
Mice tend to spread urine wherever they go, which causes this odor to build up over time. If you can smell mice, act fast and immediately. It means you have severe mice infestation.
3. Mouse Droppings
Notice something black or dark brown that is as small as a rice grain? Those are what mouse droppings look like, and seeing them would mean that you have a mice infestation. If those were any bigger (like the size of a peppercorn or so), that would be a sign of a rat infestation. A different thing altogether, but also a problem.
The usual spots where you would likely find mouse droppings are under kitchen units and in cupboards. You can also find them on surfaces and in areas that have deposits of fat and crumbs (which makes it likely for droppings to be in toasters and grills).
4. Holes and Markings
Mouse-sized holes and markings are among the other things to look out for. If they don’t have a visible passageway to go through, they will start making them. These are small, rough openings to squeeze through. All they need is a hole as small as a ballpoint pen and they will squeeze through it.
Since mice are also greasy creatures, you would also notice the dark marks they leave behind in their favorite routes. Since dirt sticks to their greasy bodies, hence the dark smears they leave behind. This is another easy sign to tell if the hole was because of mice or if it was a preexisting one.
5. Gnawed Items
Whether these are on food bags or on boxes, and even wirings, seeing these gnawed items would mean a mice was there. Mice always go for food, which makes food bags the likely casualty. They gravitate towards rice, cereal, flour, and various food items.
Bags of pet food stored in the attic or basement end up as fair targets for mice. Droves of them can feast away without detection. Best to store them in gnaw-proof containers.
Confirming Their Presence
If you feel unsure about the presence of mice, you can try a couple of DIY methods to test for their presence.
One is to use flour or talcum powder. Spread these overnight on floors or surfaces where you suspect mice have been going about. You would notice the prints that they leave behind (usually a quarter-inch small).
Another method is to leave a biscuit behind. Since mice love easy meals, you would notice gnaw marks on them. Mice tend to gnaw a bit then scurry away.
Preventive Measures and Ways to Address the Mice Problem
Make sure that your kitchen does not offer an attractive and cozy place for mice to nest in. You can do this by making sure your kitchen remains clean. Make sure to store your packaged food in sealed containers. Free your garage from any form of clutter as well. Take every step to keep your home mouse-proof.
When it comes to nest removal, consider getting the help of a specialist. With capable hands, pest control professionals have methods in detecting and addressing such situations. Consider contacting them today and providing them all details about the mice infestation. They can aid you right away.
If you’d prefer to take matters in your own hands, you can read tutorials online such as this one that shows you how to get rid of mice in your home.
