It’s that time of year when television and movies make the most adorable cartoons about Christmas mice. They always make it seem like mice are just harmless little creatures who are looking to humans for a few bites to feed their families, and are ready to step in and help when we get into trouble. The reality of mice in our homes is a little less cute, however. When mice are in the house, you have more to worry about than the few crumbs of food they’ll eat. Mice chew on and damage furniture, cabinets, walls, and electrical wire. Houses have been known to burn down from electrical fires caused by mice chewing through the wires! Mice also carry and transmit diseases, both from their bodies and their feces. As they run across your countertops, they can contaminate food preparation areas with germs and bacteria that make you sick. If you think you have a single mouse in the house, think again! Mice reproduce rapidly and chances are, if you see one, there are many more you haven’t seen.
Since the mice in real life are not as cute as the mice they portray in Christmas movies and cartoons, here are a few prevention tips for keeping mice out of your home during the holiday season and throughout the year:
- Seal potential entry points. Mice can enter your home through an opening about the size of a dime. Thoroughly inspect the exterior of your home and look for openings that could let a mouse or other pest inside. Pay close attention to areas around pipes and electrical wires entering your home.
- Keep food in sealed containers. Mice can chew through plastic bags, paper bags, and cardboard. Keep all of your food in the refrigerator or in glass or plastic containers with airtight lids to keep mice from gaining access to items in your pantry or cabinets.
- Clean spills up immediately. Sweep, vacuum, and mop floors regularly to remove crumbs. Clean up spills as soon as they happen.
- Keep your trash covered. Make sure you keep your trash in a scent-sealed garbage container both indoors and outdoors.
- Consider a pet. Cats will prevent mice from getting into your home - or at least, they’ll help you catch one if it does get inside.
If you see a mouse in the house, give Aiken Pest Control a call. We can eliminate your existing infestation, determine how the rodents are gaining access to your home, and take steps to prevent future infestations. The Christmas mouse can be a true menace to the health and safety of your household, but Aiken Pest Control can give you the gift of year-round pest control that is safe, affordable, and guaranteed to protect your property, so you can have happy holidays and can know every day that we've got your back when it comes to keeping out pests.