Is there a Mouse in Your House?
It is that time of year when the nights are cooling down and the outside food supply for mice is getting hard to find. Mice are looking for a place to stay warm, feed and live comfortable for the winter. Your home is a great place for mice to live as they can survive and prosper in close proximity to humans. House mice consume and contaminate food meant for humans, pets, livestock, or other animals. If you have pet food that is available inside your home or garage; this is an open invitation for mice.
Droppings, fresh gnawing and tracks are the sure indicators you have a mouse in your House. The house mouse is one of the most troublesome rodents in the United States. They are small and can enter the home in an opening as small as ½ inch in diameter. House mice thrive under a variety of conditions; they can be found in and around homes and commercial structures as well as in open fields. The House Mouse is the most common mouse found in our area but there are several different types of mice such as the deer mouse and white footed-mouse and they can spread several diseases and one that has gained a lot attention lately is the hantavirus; a respiratory disease that has flu- like symptoms and salmonellosis, a form of food poisoning.
Mice can cause considerable damage to structures and property. They shred materials for nest hiding in draws, cabinets, closets under blankets and clothes that are left on the floor, wall voids, and attics hiding in the insulation, appliances and even under furniture.
Mice are more active at night foraging for food, but they can be seen in the daylight. Seeing several in the daylight can indicate a high population of mice.
Exclusion and sanitation is the best practice for controlling mice problems. Sealing all openings in and around the house will help eliminate mice getting in. You can use caulk, steel wool or just about any building materials to "build out" the mice.
Keeping the trash away from the house, keeping lids on dog food containers and trimming shrubs back so there is not a reason for them to nest outside close to your home is helpful.
If you only have a few mice in your home a simple trap may be the best solution. They are safe, effective and inexpensive and can be baited with peanut butter, chocolate candy, bacon, cheese or dried fruit. There are several good reasons to use traps; you can confirm the rodent is dead, it easy to get rid of the carcass, no poisons is used inside your home,and you can eliminate the chance of a mouse crawling into an area and dying creating an odor you can't find or access.
If you have a large population controlling mice can be a difficult task. Using poison is probably the best product up for the job but you must use caution and common sense with these products. Be careful and follow directions when using around pets. Handling the bait can contaminate it causing the mice to shy away from it. Be aware the rodents can crawl inside walls or furniture and leave you with a very foul odor to deal with. Always use caution and wear rubber gloves when handling the dead rodent and anything contaminated in the area and clean the area with a disinfecting cleaner.
Preston Sandlin and Home Inspection Carolina have providing thorough quality home inspections in the Charlotte NC area for over 15 years. Preston has a masters' degree in Education and has taught Home Inspection classes for years. He also is a certified infrared thermographer. Home Inspection Carolina has been on TV many times and has a Charlotte Home Inspector radio show . So you are in need of a home inspection in Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Waddington NC, Mooresville NC, Fort Mill SC or Rock Hill SC call Home Inspection Carolina (704) 542-6575.
Preston Sandlin
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