Mice
Mice may look cute and adorable in the movies under controlled conditions; however, there is nothing cute or adorable when you spot them in your home. In fact, mice are wild, disease-ridden animals that have been known to contaminate food and other surfaces, which can trigger allergic reactions, as well as cause various illnesses in humans.
They can even have you tiptoeing around your home in angst of running into one or anticipating the damage they may have caused to your food products, and more, which can make it difficult to enjoy your home.
They can even have you tiptoeing around your home in angst of running into one or anticipating the damage they may have caused to your food products, and more, which can make it difficult to enjoy your home.
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What are Mice?
Mice, also known as house mice, are 2.5 to 3.75-inch long, round-bodied, four-legged rodents with light brown to dark gray fur and off-white colored undersides. They also have a tail that ranges from 2.75 to 4-inches in length, a pointed muzzle, and big ears with a scant amount of hair on them. Mice can survive outdoors; however, they typically prefer to dwell inside where they build their nest, which is often made from various materials, including wall insulation, cotton, paper products, and packing materials, in dark, hidden areas. |
These animals generally have a territory of about 4 to 5 feet, depending on the availability of water and food, which consists of grain-based products, such as seeds and cereal; however, they will also eat insects, fruits, nuts, and any other human food they can find.
They usually feed between dusk and dawn, during which time they will usually munch on small bits of food at a time; however, they may also eat smaller meals in between, in which case you may also spot them in your house during daylight hours, using one of their established runways that they may change from time to time out of curiosity. They also good climbers and can jump as high as one foot.
House mice multiply fast. In fact, their territory typically contains a large number of females who can give birth to at least 6 babies every three weeks, which totals over 30 births per year.
They usually feed between dusk and dawn, during which time they will usually munch on small bits of food at a time; however, they may also eat smaller meals in between, in which case you may also spot them in your house during daylight hours, using one of their established runways that they may change from time to time out of curiosity. They also good climbers and can jump as high as one foot.
House mice multiply fast. In fact, their territory typically contains a large number of females who can give birth to at least 6 babies every three weeks, which totals over 30 births per year.
Do Mice Pose any Risks?
Mice can not only be intimidating, as well a nuisance, but they are also known to carry fleas, mites, ticks, lice, and diseases, which poses a threat to your health. In fact, mice have been known to spread salmonella through their feces, as well as through contaminated food, and their carcasses have also been linked to rat-bite fever. Some children may also experience asthma flare-ups when exposed to their urine and droppings.
They can also cause significant property damage due to their persistent gnawing to both enter a property and to keep their ever-growing incisors filed down. A number of house fires have even been caused by mice because they will even chew on electrical wiring, which causes a short in the wire.
Mice can not only be intimidating, as well a nuisance, but they are also known to carry fleas, mites, ticks, lice, and diseases, which poses a threat to your health. In fact, mice have been known to spread salmonella through their feces, as well as through contaminated food, and their carcasses have also been linked to rat-bite fever. Some children may also experience asthma flare-ups when exposed to their urine and droppings.
They can also cause significant property damage due to their persistent gnawing to both enter a property and to keep their ever-growing incisors filed down. A number of house fires have even been caused by mice because they will even chew on electrical wiring, which causes a short in the wire.
How to Treat Mice
Mice can fit through dime-sized holes and pencil-sized gaps; therefore, it is important to seal any openings in and around your home with construction-grade material, such as a silicone-based caulk, or even steel wool. You should also keep your home free of boxes and clutter, which mice like to hide under. Your food should also be sealed in glass or metal containers, and keep your surfaces free of food morsels and crumbs, which can attract mice.
Some signs of mice in your home include 1/8 to 1/4- inch long, rod-shaped, pointed end droppings, damaged goods, gnaw marks, and burrows made of insulation or other products.
Since mice reproduce often, if you suspect you have mice in your home, it is important to contact a professional immediately. In fact, if you have spotted a mouse scurrying across the floor, it is usually a sign there is a family nearby. If left untreated, not only do mice pose a threat to your food, but they can also cause significant damage to your property, which can lead to costly repairs.
Mice can fit through dime-sized holes and pencil-sized gaps; therefore, it is important to seal any openings in and around your home with construction-grade material, such as a silicone-based caulk, or even steel wool. You should also keep your home free of boxes and clutter, which mice like to hide under. Your food should also be sealed in glass or metal containers, and keep your surfaces free of food morsels and crumbs, which can attract mice.
Some signs of mice in your home include 1/8 to 1/4- inch long, rod-shaped, pointed end droppings, damaged goods, gnaw marks, and burrows made of insulation or other products.
Since mice reproduce often, if you suspect you have mice in your home, it is important to contact a professional immediately. In fact, if you have spotted a mouse scurrying across the floor, it is usually a sign there is a family nearby. If left untreated, not only do mice pose a threat to your food, but they can also cause significant damage to your property, which can lead to costly repairs.
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