No one likes the thought of a rodent scurrying across their kitchen or any room of the house for that matter. Unfortunately, rodents are common pests that Dallas residents need to control. Firstly, it’s important that you be able to correctly identify a mouse in order to know what type of infestation you are dealing with. Then, our professionals at Lonestar Safe Pest will supply you with some tips and tricks to keep your home rodent-free, permanently.
Identifying House Mice In Your Dallas Home
The common house mouse usually has a dusty gray coloration with a lighter-toned underbelly. They can vary in color, ranging from dark gray to light brown and many neutral shades in between. House mice have four legs and a rounded shape. Their tails are relatively long compared to the size of their bodies. They have a pointed snout and rounded hairy ears.
If you discover a mouse in your home, chances are there are others hiding in the wall voids. Mice reproduce at an extremely rapid rate which is why it’s very easy for an infestation to grow and grow until it becomes unmanageable. Aside from their ability to breed very quickly, there are a lot of other problems that come with a rodent infestation.
The Dangers Of A House Mouse Infestation
First of all, mice have the ability to spread a long list of diseases. They spread bacteria as they crawl around from place to place, leaving you and your loved ones susceptible to adverse health effects. Wherever they go, they leave urine, fecal droppings, saliva, and nesting materials, all of which contaminate your home and expose you to harmful pathogens. Secondly, mice can cause significant damage to your home by gnawing incessantly on everything they can sink their teeth into. Most notably, house mice are known to chew on electrical wiring which can easily lead to a fire.
Helpful Prevention Tips To Keep House Mice Away
Needless to say, it’s just not worth the risk. The best way to protect yourself and your home is to avoid infestation altogether. There are a number of preventative measures you can take:
- Maintain a high level of sanitation; clean up spills and crumbs promptly.
- Store all food in airtight containers, including pet food.
- Regularly dispose of garbage, and keep it in sealed trash bins outside.
- Install screen on all vents and chimney openings.
- Use weather stripping to replace loose mortar around the windows and basement foundation.
- Seal off any cracks and holes in the foundation or house exterior.
- Use caulk and steel wool to fill in any cracks in areas with utilities and pipes.
- Keep crawlspaces, basement, and attic dry and well-ventilated.
- Reduce sources of moisture around the home; repair leaky pipes and faulty drains and faucets.
- Keep shrubbery well-trimmed and away from the house.
One of the many frustrating things about mice is their ability to fit into the tiniest holes and smallest openings. That means that every inch of your home needs to be sealed off to prevent entry. There are also a number of mouse traps that you can use to help reduce the population, but they’re not entirely dependable.
When it comes down to it, the best and most reliable way to make sure that your home is free of mice and protected from future infestation is to call in a professional pest control service. Lone Star Safe Pest has been serving South Texas with the best in residential and commercial pest control for over 18 years. Our team of certified pest technicians is highly experienced in eliminating rodents from the interior and exterior of your home and keeping them out for good. Call us today for a consultation, and get ready to say goodbye to those pesky little mice once and for all.