Mice typically hide in wall voids, basements, attics, and garages.
Rodent Control Company Serving Eastern Pennsylvania
Rodents are one of the most dangerous pests there are to our health and our food supply. Mice and rats are known to transfer diseases, contaminate our food, and can cause structural damage to homes or buildings.
Rodents can transfer severe respiratory diseases such as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome also known as HPS. The Hantavirus is a potentially life-threatening disease that people can contract from contact or inhalation of rodent droppings and urine. Even individuals who are healthy are at risk of infection if exposed to the virus.
Anyone who comes into contact with rodents that carry hantaviruses is at risk of HPS. Rodent infestation in and around the home remains the primary risk for hantavirus exposure. Even healthy individuals are at risk for HPS infection if exposed to the virus.
Other potential diseases rodents may pass along include the Bubonic Plague, Salmonellosis, and Rat-Bite Fever. The consequences of these can range from severe abdominal pain to wiping out ⅓ of the European population during the middle ages. So while they may seem cute and cuddly, trust us when we tell you they are not.
Risks of Rodent Infestation
- Spread disease – rodents spread hantavirus, bubonic plague, salmonellosis, and rat-bite fever.
- Breed rapidly – a single female mouse can realistically have between 50 and 60 babies per year, while A single female rat can have over 100 babies per year.
- Contaminate food – between what they eat and what they contaminate from their urine and feces, rodents alone are responsible for over 20% of all the world’s food supply being wasted each year.
- Cause costly property damage – rodents are notorious for gnawing and chewing, they especially enjoy chewing on wiring. It has been determined that rodents are responsible for 20 to 25% of all house fires that are considered to start from undetermined causes. Between that and the damage they can cause from chewing through structurally important parts of your home or business, they can be tiny wrecking balls.
Procor‘s rodent control program for lasting protection
An effective rodent control program is key to keeping your home free from a recurring infestation. Below are some of the steps you can expect a Procor pest management technician to take:
Parts of your home we secure against rodents:
While there is no place that is safe from rodents in your home, there are some areas that are more popular than others. It’s always important to inspect and maintain rodent control devices, such as bait stations, in the basement, attic, kitchen, and attached garage. These are areas that are either primary entry points for rodents, where the food is, or a nice safe place for them to nest.
Common signs of a rodent infestation:
Outside of seeing the mice or rats themselves scurrying around your home, there are some other signs you can look for that will help you identify a rodent infestation:
- RODENT DROPPINGS
- URINE ODOR
- GNAW MARKS ON FOOD PACKAGING
- ODD PET BEHAVIOR
- HOLES IN WALLS AND FLOORS
- HEARING SCAMPERING NOISES
Mice have no control over their bodily functions. They are literally urinating and defecating as they walk. You typically will never see the urine of mice since it comes out in such tiny amounts, unless you have heavy activity and they are running along the same surface for a long period of time, you will then see calcium buildups.
The droppings, however, are what you will see. They are like a dark grain of rice, and you’ll see them scattered around the areas where the mice spend the most time. You’ll often notice them on countertops, in drawers, and along the perimeter of rooms.
Rats are slightly more evolved and will urinate and defecate in one area like other animals. Their droppings are larger, about ¾” in length.
You may also notice chew marks on food packaging or gnaw marks and holes in walls and floors.
Mice and rats will look for anything they can find for harborage materials. Look for things like shredded paper and fabric, cotton stuffing, leaves, and any other soft materials that are shredded, chewed, or wadded up.
Rodent Identification and Behavior:
Rats: Norway rats, which are the most common rats we have in Pennsylvania, typically have a body length between 6 to 8 inches, their tails are another 4 to 6 inches. Rats weigh between 12 and 16oz.
They range in color from grayish to reddish-brown and black. They are nocturnal and When indoors they typically nest in the basement or crawl space. When outdoors their borrows can be over 6’ long.
Mice: House mice are much smaller than the Norway rat, they are typically between 5 to 8 inches in length which is also including the tail. Their colors range from gray to light brown to black. They too are nocturnal and typically nest in wall voids, attics, cabinets, and garages. They have been known to visit a food source over 200 times per night, leaving droppings and urine behind as they go each time.
Where do mice tend to hide in a house?
How long does a professional take to exterminate mice?
A mouse service typically requires three visits to eliminate the current mouse population in your home. An ongoing service program is HIGHLY recommended though since you will always be more prone to get mice in the home again.
How quickly do mice multiply?
A female mouse can have between 50 and 60 babies per year.
What exactly do exterminators do about mice?
Treating for mice normally requires multiple steps. First, we work towards getting the current population under control. Next, we look for areas that mice may enter your home and work with you on sealing those areas up. Finally, we put an ongoing maintenance program in place to help ensure that no further infestations occur.