What’s That Noise? Plus, Four Other Signs of a Rodent Infestation
Have you been hearing strange noises keeping you up at night? It might not be your imagination- it could be rodents. Rodents and mice, in particular, are very common household pests in Oakville. An abundance of easily accessible food sources, like birdfeeders, pet food, garbage, and gardens, lure these pests into residential areas. And once they find a place to call home, mice can be tough to eliminate.
So how to call you to tell if you need mice removal in Oakville? Here are five signs to be on the lookout for:
- Droppings: Mouse droppings are a pretty surefire sign that you’re dealing with an infestation. Look for small, dark pellets (roughly the size of a grain of rice) in areas where rodents tend to be most active, such as in cupboards, under sinks, and behind appliances.
- Gnaw marks: Mice are constantly gnawing to keep their teeth from growing too long. Chew marks on walls, wires, furniture, and food packaging are strong indications that mice are living in or accessing your home.
- Scratching sounds: Rodents are most active at night, so if you hear scratching or rustling sounds coming from the walls or ceilings at night, it could be a sign that you have mice.
- Nests: Mice like to build nests out of materials such as paper, fabric, and insulation. If you suspect you’re dealing with a mouse infestation, look for nests in hidden, out-of-the-way places like behind appliances or in the attic.
- Foul odour: Not only are mice noisy, but they also smell. Between the urine, droppings, and in some cases, dead mice, unidentifiable bad smells could be a sign of a mouse infestation.
Mice Removal in Oakville: Keeping Your Home and Family Safe
If the signs of a mouse infestation weren’t enough, mice can also be dangerous to your health and cause significant damage to your home. Rodents, including mice, are known carriers of bacteria and diseases transmissible to humans and pets through contact with rodent droppings, urine, or being bitten.
To avoid a worst-case scenario, here are a few ways to help keep your property rodent-free:
- Seal all entry points: Use sealant or caulking to fill in gaps and cracks around your home, including around doors, windows, pipes, and even holes in the brick mortar, to prevent mice from entering your home.
- Use natural repellents: Rodents dislike certain smells. Spraying peppermint oil or planting things like lavender and rosemary around the perimeter of your home can help deter mice.
- Keep your home clean and tidy: Rodents, like mice, are attracted to food and clutter, so keeping your home clean and tidy can make it less appealing.
- Get a cat: Cats are natural predators of rodents, and their presence, and even just their scent, can help keep rodents away from your home. Just remember that a cat is also a pet, so deterring mice shouldn’t be the only consideration!
- Install mesh screens: Covering vents and other openings with mesh screens is a simple and effective way to deny rodents entry into your home.
Mice breed notoriously fast, and it doesn’t take a large infestation to inflict real damage on your home or be a danger to your family. Be on the lookout for signs of mice. If you suspect an infestation, it’s crucial to address the problem quickly with mice removal in Oakville before it gets out of control.
