We all know that cats are masters at catching mice, but how do dogs fare against these pests? After all, dogs are used for hunting, and they are the descendants of predators. Well, as it turns out, dogs are surprisingly good at dealing with mice. Let’s take a closer look at just how much a dog can do to prevent a mouse infestation.
Are mice afraid of dogs?
Cats, snakes and birds of prey terrify rodents, including mice, to the point where rodents have evolved to detect the pheromones of these animals and immediately leave the area if these animals are present. As it turns out, dogs also have powerful mouse-repellent pheromones, even if they are not apex predators when it comes to rodents. So by their mere presence in the home or in the yard, you lower the odds of a house mouse infestation happening. It’s important to note though that when mice are in dire situations, they will ignore the pheromones of their predators and they will still attempt to enter the home. For example, if it’s winter outside and the mice are hungry, they will try very hard to start an infestation.
Breeds that are very good at keeping mice out of the home
Historically, certain dogs were bred specifically to deal with rats and mice. You may recognize these dogs by their short legs and long snouts, which is the perfect form for hunting rodents. Some of these breeds are still available today and they include rat terriers, yorkshire terriers, dachshunds and German pinschers to name a few.
Getting help from a pro
While having a dog can help, it will not fully protect your home against a rodent infestation and it will definitely not help you get a mouse infestation under control. In order to do that, you will need the help of a pro. A pro will first perform an inspection to determine the size of the infestation, information which will influence which control methods will be used to deal with the mice. After that, the pro will discuss with you the available options and then move on to implementation. Once the mice have been removed, the pro may also help with the clean up process or offer to implement extra preventive measures against house mice. For more information about house mice, or if you suspect that you have an infestation and you need professional services, contact us today.