Mice are great at keeping their presence a secret. Oftentimes, homeowners will not be aware that they have an infestation in their building until the infestation is very large. This is because house mice are mostly nocturnal animals, and they always try to stay well hidden, even as they travel. For example, they may walk inside the walls as they forage for food, or they may stick to pathways that are behind furniture and appliances. Luckily, there is always one sign that will give their presence away: the smell.
The smell of mice
Usually, when homeowners suspect that they have an infestation, it’s because they either notice droppings somewhere in the home, or they hear the mice scratching, gnawing and squeaking at night. However, mice also leave a distinctive musky, ammonia scent in a building that they infest, which smells similarly to urine. This smell will be most noticeable in enclosed spaces, such as within cabinets, drawers and pantries frequented by the mice. The smell will also be present along mouse pathways – such as those near walls and baseboards. Mice will leave this smell behind in order to mark territory.
If you sense this smell around the home, you can start to look for other signs of a mouse infestation in order to confirm that the rodents are present. Look behind furniture and in your cupboards for mouse droppings and grease marks, and listen for strange noises at night. If you see these extra signs, you can be pretty much sure that you have mice inside the home.
What to do in case of an infestation?
Mice may seem small and harmless, but they can do quite a bit of damage in the home, and they can spread some serious diseases. They can chew up insulation, lowering the energy efficiency of the building, and they can also chew through electrical wiring, which can lead to power outages and fire hazards. On top of that, they can spread numerous diseases either directly by touching your food, or indirectly through their urine and droppings. So getting rid of an infestation as soon as possible is essential.
The best way to go about this is to call over a pest control specialist, who will inspect the home and implement control measures that will quickly, safely and completely remove the infestation. If you would like to know more about house mouse control services, or if you want to set up an appointment, contact us today.