There’s no denying that mice in popular culture are adorable. Over the years, mice have earned a reputation as cute and cartoonish, but having a mouse problem in your house is no light matter.
Mice can populate an area quickly and they leave fecal matter wherever they go, posing a health risk. They can also cause structural damage that you might not noticeand that your insurance might not cover. Without a doubt, you want to be confident that your home is mouse-free to ensure your health and safety. A mouse-free home also guarantees the integrity of your house, and a peaceful night’s sleep without any scurrying sounds. Here are seven signs you have a mouse problem in your home.
Typically, mice droppings are one of the telltale signsyou have a mouse problem in your home: droppings are small and dark, typically 3-8mm in length. If your home has mice, you’re likely to find droppings in concealed areas low to the ground or near the ceiling. The top of a cupboard, the baseboards behind furniture, or behind some boxes in the basement are likely places to spot droppings. Areas that show evidence of rodent droppings need to be cleaned thoroughly with extra precaution taken to avoid direct contact and to permit plenty of ventilation.
It’s no secret that mice love food, and smelly foods in particular never fail to grab their attention. If you notice that your food products show evidence of something having chewed through the packaging, it’s likely that mice have helped themselves to your food. Similarly, mysterious crumbs and food debris found around your cupboards and counters are signs that mice are present and active in your home.
Mice can find their way into your home regardless of the season, but there is an emphasis on the winter months for mice nesting. Mice look for places that are quiet and convenient for quickly sourcing food, so areas in your home that are isolated or concealed yet near food are going to be the most likely places you’ll find a nest. Signs you have a mouse in your house include spotting any evidence of a soft nest made of paper debris or insulation, likely in a hollow area of a ceiling or floor.
Sounds in the home are always curious, especially at night. While the odd creak or two is usually no cause for alarm, it’s hard to mistake the sounds of mice scurrying about. Scurrying or scratching noises at night are a big clue that your home is playing host to mice invaders.
Mice leave feces and urine everywhere, and if you haven’t spotted the evidence, then you might have smelled it. Mice urinate frequently and their pee leaves an especially strong ammonia-like smell. A stronger smell means you are closer to the mice activity, or that you might be close to a nest (old or new). Following your nose can be an effective way to locate mouse activity and take your hunch to a confirmed infestation.
Particularly dusty areas such as a basement, cellar, or the top of a cupboard are likely to show clear tracks left behind by mice. If you suspect you’ve located a high-traffic area for mice, but haven’t caught any in the act, sprinkling flour or talcum powder and waiting overnight can reveal the footprints you might have been missing.
The final sign that you have mice in your house may seem like an obvious clue: seeing one. Seeing a mouse is not always a sign of a mouse problem or infestation, but it usually is. Mice are nocturnal, so you might not see them during the day, but just seeing the hint of one rodent or even finding a dead one is cause for investigation.
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