The Unexpected House Guest

Cool, fall weather has arrived, and along with leaves and nippy mornings, bugs and rodents are scurrying to find warmer quarters. Sometimes those warmer quarters may be our home.

Many people believe they will never encounter a mouse in their house, but families across the country share their houses with rodents every day. Mice are small, and some say they are cute, but they can cause damage to your home and bring disease. There are signs of mice that you may miss if you do not know the clues. Being aware and proactive decreases your chances of unwanted houseguests.

Signs of Mice:

• droppings
• scent of urine
• pets showing predatory behavior inside the home
• small gnaw marks on objects

Mice are most active at night. However, it is not uncommon for mice to be seen during the day. Some of the most common locations you can find signs of mice are under the sink, in cabinets or drawers, on the counter, and under furniture, with their trails usually running along the baseboards.

Preventing Mice

Do not assume that a hole is too small. Mice can fit through an opening the size of a dime! They will gnaw on tiny holes or cracks to gain entry. Inspect the exterior of your home and repair any holes or cracks. Dark areas should be inspected with a flashlight.

Mice use foliage to hide from predators such as cats and owls as they move around. To prevent mice from easily coming inside, keep bushes, trees, and other plants near your home trimmed. In addition to looking for shelter, mice may also enter your house looking for their next meal. Keeping food (human and pet) in airtight containers and cleaning up any food spills will help avoid attracting mice from coming inside.

Vogelsang Pest Management offers various pest control services for homeowners and businesses throughout St. Charles, Lincoln, and St. Louis counties in Missouri.