Unfortunately for many, inside their homes, they discover the unpleasant surprise of welcoming unwanted tenants: mice. These pesky little rodents can cause a number of nuisances, from infrastructure damage to health problems.
Mice are one of the most common small mammal pests in the world. In general, they tend to invade during certain seasons, seeking sources of food, water and warm shelter to reproduce and survive. However, the aggravations that these rodents cause are very irritating.
Among the damage are gnawed furniture, gnawed food, chewed materials, droppings scattered everywhere, bad smells and even their presence even at night, and that’s not all, as mice are vectors of many diseases, such as salmonella or typhoid fever.
Homeowners are frustrated that their homes are nests of these pests. And many wonder, “How did this happen?”, “How did the mice get into my house?”, “What did I do to make them invade my home? These concerns can arise with good reason and even out of desperation.
If you are asking yourself these questions, and you want to know the answers to your doubts, then you have come to the right place! As AKL Exterminator, the best pest control and extermination experts in Quebec, we will answer the question of why you have mice in your home here.
We will solve this crucial question for you, so that you can take steps to eradicate these rodent plagues. With our professional advice, you can have peace of mind in your home again! Let’s get started!
Reasons why mice have invaded your home
There are a variety of reasons why these rodents may enter your property. It is common for this pest to prefer vulnerable homes and restaurants at certain times of the year. Once inside, due to their high reproductive capacity, the infestation will develop without you noticing.
And because they are so elusive, nocturnal and hard to catch, it will be too late to recognize them. Your pantry will be contaminated, your possessions and appliances will be gnawed away, and your health will be at risk – and for worse, mice leave a trail to call others of their friends!
That’s why prevention is important in every way. But if you’re already dealing with a mouse infestation, you need to assess your situation and be very aware of the condition of your home. Is my home hygienic? Is everything in good condition? Do I live in an urban or rural area?
Such questions are important to consider, before taking action or calling a professional pest control service. In any case, let’s take a closer look at some of the reasons why mice invade homes!
Poor sanitation
Lack of cleanliness is the main reason mice infest homes. Dirt, debris, exposed food, scattered crumbs and dirty dishes attract them. These rodents are great explorers, and when they find a neglected home, they make it an easy target.
The cleaner and neater your home is, the less likely it is that mice will invade. This means that these rodents can get into both spotless homes and really dirty ones. And if the hygiene in your property is very poor, the risk increases.
Mice are very good at finding food, water and shelter, and if they find a house with open, damp, cluttered, dark and littered food to hide in, they will certainly take advantage of it to make their nest! You must therefore ensure that your home is clean and tidy to avoid an infestation.
Cracks, holes and easy entry
Mice are very sneaky and cunning animals. Their small size and skills allow them to infiltrate any nook or cranny you can imagine. Between the walls, roof, pipes or structures of your home, mice can easily find their way in.
So you need to seal and caulk any potential access to these pesky rodents, with materials that are resistant to their teeth and bites. Any holes or openings you find inside your home should be filled in immediately.
Poorly maintained exteriors
Often, piled up debris, trash lying around, piles of firewood and other materials you leave outside your property can be breeding grounds for mice that will eventually invade the interior of your home. Gardens, sheds or areas where you store your belongings can be their temporary hiding place.
At some point, they will seek to infiltrate, by gnawing on the siding of your home, or through holes, to make their nests (especially if your home has wooden structures that are easy to gnaw on). Therefore, you need to make sure your yard or garden is also clean, tidy and clear.
Infestation Seasons
Winter and fall are the most common times of year for mouse infestations, as mice seek warm shelter to survive cold temperatures, reproduce and protect themselves from predators. This relationship between the seasons and mice is uncontrollable, but preventable.
Mice will gnaw, climb, dig and even swim (yes, they can swim) any way they can to find routes into homes. Whether it’s food scarcity, cold weather or the danger of the outdoors, these rodents are relentless opportunists who will adapt to anything to make a nest in your home.
So when these seasons arrive, wherever you live, you should check your entire home’s infrastructure for prevention!
Make sure there are no entries, holes or cracks. You also shouldn’t leave food out in the open, nor should you leave your pets’ supplies. It is essential that you check your heating system, sewers, shed and exterior to prevent mice from entering your property.
Excess moisture and darkness
Mice, like cockroaches, like damp, dark corners. They prefer to hide in unoccupied rooms, unlit niches or rooms with water leaks. And since they are very cunning and agile animals, they will take advantage of these oversights inside your home.
When they discover a leaky pipe, a poorly lit basement or a messy attic in the dark, they will undoubtedly take refuge there. So be sure to light every corner of your home, fix any tainted or leaking drains, and clear out any unoccupied rooms in your home.
Some prevention tips
If you want to avoid the hassle of a mouse infestation, hygiene and sanitation are key factors. These rodents can survive on small crumbs and water droplets, in very small spaces, so you need to be very careful when taking care of your home.
That’s why, as an AKL exterminator, we leave you with a few recommendations here, so that your home is not an easy target for opportunistic mice:
- Clean your entire house, especially the kitchen, bathrooms and uninhabited rooms.
- Vacuum floors, carpets, rugs and any food waste or crumbs.
- Store your pets’ food and water. Do not leave their waste outside.
- Collect garbage daily and dispose of it in sealed, mouse-proof bags or garbage cans.
- Store your food in airtight bins and pantries.
- Cut grass and weeds in your garden frequently.
- Store your shed and outdoor equipment (lumber, gardening tools, etc.).
- Eliminate water leaks and repair pipes.
- Fill holes, cracks and any potential entry points for mice.
- Place traps in strategic locations.
Now that you know why mice are in your home and why they’ve gotten in, what are you waiting for to put these prevention tips into action? This will reduce the risk of disease, contamination of your food and belongings, and all the other inconveniences caused by these rodents.
Don’t forget to watch for any signs of infestation! You should not allow mice to nest and spread throughout your home, as they breed wildly.
And if you’re suffering from the ravages of mice or any other vermin, and urgently need the help of a pest control company, don’t hesitate to contact us! At AKL Exterminator, we are professionals in the extermination and control of all types of pests.
We will help you without saying a word! In addition, we offer different services and products that you can find in our amazing online store, to control all kinds of invaders, from spiders to rodents. We offer our services in the different provinces of Quebec.
You can find us at 5333 Boul. Laurier, suite 128 Terrebonne, J7M 1W1. We guarantee quality products and services against any invasive pest. Do not hesitate to contact us by clicking on the image below! We take calls all the time!
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