Do you prefer the city, or would you rather live in a more rural town? There are many benefits to both. In a small town, there is one reliable guy to fix your leaky faucet, the server at the local breakfast place knows your order before you sit down, and practically everyone knows each other’s name.
In a big city like San Diego, there is culture around every corner, food from every nationality, and a sense of pride and community that you can’t find anywhere else. Do you know what else comes from living in a big city? An influx in rodent infestations. Today we will be talking about house mice and letting you in on a few secrets to keep these invasive pests out of your San Diego home.
The Common House Mouse
House mice are what most people think of when they hear the word mice. This small rodent is dusty grey, 2/ ½ to 3 ¾ inches long, has four legs, nimble paws, a long, slightly hairy tail, two large ears, and a pair of eyes that can be red or black.
Like other species of rodents, house mice have strong and sharp front incisor teeth. These teeth are mainly used to break down materials to build a nest with and chew holes through wood, plastic, rubber, and certain metals.
4 Signs Your Home Has House Mice
House mice do not always announce their presence when they invade a home. To know your home has an active infestation, here are four signs to keep your eyes out for:
- Mouse droppings: These ¼ inch long pellets are most commonly found in the backs of drawers and shelving, in the corners of rooms, and near nesting areas.
- Gnaw marks: Mice chew on everything, so look for gnaw marks on the legs of furniture, along with holes through walls, and other chewing-related damages around your home.
- Rub Marks: Mice are typically fairly greasy, and as these pests run along walls, they sometimes leave oily marks behind.
- Damaged Food Goods: Mice chew holes through boxes of stored food when they are hungry. Keep your eye out for these holes and similar damage around your pantry.
How To Prevent House Mice
House mice are not just annoying but also dangerous and destructive. To keep these invasive pests out of your San Diego home, here are a few detailed prevention tips for you to try:
- Search your home’s exterior for cracks, gaps, and openings, and seal any you find using steel wool and a caulking gun.
- Address moisture problems around your home by fixing pipes/fixtures and making sure your gutters are clean and in good repair.
- If you host an outdoor gathering, make sure to pick up all food and beverages after you are done.
- Remove clutter, debris, and objects around your property that mice might use as shelter.
- Keep your grass cut short and trim back tree branches/shrubs at least five feet from the exterior of your home.
- Thoroughly clean the interior of your home at least once a week and do your best to address messes as they occur.
What To Do If Mice Invade?
When mice find their way into a home, it is often difficult to get them back out. To quickly and effectively handle rodent infestations around your San Diego home, get the experts at Allswell involved. We know how mice think, where they like to hide, and what methods work best to get them out of a home. We also offer advanced rodent exclusion plans to keep future mice out of your home. Call or contact us through our website today for any questions or to schedule your home for a service visit.