As a homeowner, you strive to create a safe, comfortable, and pest-free environment for your family. However, even the cleanest of homes can fall victim to an infestation of mice or rats. While a few droppings or minor damage may not seem like an emergency, a large infestation of rodents in or around your home requires immediate action. Waiting too long to call an exterminator for mice to eliminate an infestation can lead to significant structural damage, health issues from pathogens and parasites, and a worsening problem that becomes much harder to eliminate.
It is critical to know when it is time to call a professional exterminator for mice to get rid of mice in and around your home. If you notice increasing droppings, strange noises in the walls or attic, damaged food containers or wires, or actual sightings of multiple mice, it is best to call an exterminator immediately. An experienced exterminator has the proper training, equipment, and pest control solutions to fully eliminate even the largest of rodent infestations safely and effectively.
Signs You Have an Active Mouse Infestation
If you notice any of the following signs, it is highly recommended that you contact a licensed exterminator for mice to assess if you have an active mouse infestation and schedule professional pest control services.
Droppings. Finding mouse droppings around the home, especially in areas where food is stored or in seldom-used rooms, clearly indicates an active mouse population. Droppings will be dark in color, pellet-shaped, and approximately 1⁄4 inch in length.
Damage. Mice tend to gnaw on various materials as their teeth never stop growing. Look for damage to walls, baseboards, doors, wires, pipes, or other surfaces. Any holes or cracks leading into the structure should also be sealed to eliminate access points.
Nests. Mice build nests to live and breed in, often constructing them out of shredded paper, fabric, and other soft materials. Search in undisturbed, cluttered spots like attics, garages, sheds, or crawl spaces.
Sounds. At night when the home is quiet, listening for the sounds of mice moving or squeaking can help determine if mice are present. Mice are most active at night, searching for food and interacting with each other.
Odors. An active mouse infestation will produce a musky odor from droppings, urine, nesting materials, and the mice. The smell will be most noticeable in areas where the mice frequent.
Health Risks of Mice in the Home
Mice infestations pose serious health risks that should not be ignored. Their droppings and urine can transmit diseases and parasites to humans, including Hantavirus and Leptospirosis.
Exposure to mice feces and saliva puts you at high risk of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, which causes flu-like symptoms that can lead to severe lung disease and even death. Leptospirosis spread through contact with infected urine causes many flu-like symptoms and can damage the liver and kidneys if left untreated.
Mice also carry ticks, fleas, and mites that may bite you or your pets. These can spread Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other dangerous infections.
Gnawing and chewing behaviors mean mice contaminate food sources and damage property. Their constant need to chew puts holes in walls, flooring, pipes, and wiring. Mice build nests from shredded paper, fabric, and insulation, starting fires by chewing on electrical wires.
The safest approach is to contact a licensed exterminator for mice if you see signs of it in the home, such as droppings, chewed items, or visible mice. An exterminator can fully eliminate the infestation, properly seal up entry points, and sanitize the area to prevent disease. The risks to health and home are simply too great to handle a mouse problem yourself.
DIY Mouse Control vs. Professional Exterminator For Mice
When an infestation of mice in your home reaches a certain threshold, it may be time to call in a professional exterminator for mice. DIY mouse control methods may not be sufficient or fast-acting enough. Some signs it’s time to hire an expert include:
Extensive Damage
- If the mice have caused substantial damage by chewing on walls, baseboards, wiring, or other areas of your home, it’s best to get professional help. Exterminators have the proper tools and pesticides to eliminate large infestations and repair any damage done.
Health Concerns
- Mice droppings and urine can trigger allergic reactions and spread diseases in some people. Their parasites and pathogens may also pose risks. For health and safety reasons, call an exterminator for mice to properly and thoroughly eliminate the infestation.
Ineffectual DIY Methods
- If you’ve tried various do-it-yourself techniques like traps, poisons, and sealing entry points to no avail, it’s probably time to call a professional. Exterminator for mice are trained and experienced in getting rid of even the most stubborn mouse problems. They have access to stronger pesticides and a wider range of control methods to eliminate the infestation for good.
When mice have taken over your home, an exterminator for mice is often the most effective way to get the problem under control safely and thoroughly. Professional pest control experts can assess the situation, repair any damage, eliminate health risks, and rid your home of mice for the long term. Hiring an exterminator is usually worth the investment for difficult or large infestations.
How to Choose the Right Exterminator for Mice
When determining the right exterminator for mice infestation in your home, there are several factors to consider:
The company’s experience and credentials. Look for an exterminator who is licensed, insured, and with extensive experience eliminating rodent problems. They should be up-to-date with the latest treatment techniques and technologies.
Their approach and methods. Discuss their strategies for solving mice issues in a safe, humane way. Do they use integrated pest management with a combination of techniques? Ask about their methods for finding entry points, baiting, trapping, sealing access points, and preventing re-infestation.
References and reviews. Get references from previous clients with similar mice problems. Check online reviews from trusted sites like HomeAdvisor or the Better Business Bureau. Look for companies with a proven track record of success and high customer satisfaction.
Estimated cost and guarantees. Obtain free estimates from multiple exterminators to compare. Look for ones that provide a written guarantee against future mice activity for a certain period after the initial treatment. The guarantee shows their confidence in solving the problem effectively.
Choosing a reputable, experienced exterminator for mice that uses an integrated approach with humane methods is key to successfully eliminating a mice infestation in your home while also preventing the mice from returning. Do your research, ask the right questions, and go with a company you feel fully confident can resolve your rodent problem for good.
Need to Call an Mouse Exterminator?
If you’ve discovered active signs of mice in your home, it’s time to call an exterminator for mice. While mice may seem harmless, they can cause structural damage by chewing through walls and insulation and contaminate your living space with droppings and parasites. When you notice mice in your home, the infestation has likely grown quite large, so DIY treatments are unlikely to eliminate the problem. Professional exterminators for mice have the proper training, equipment, and pesticides to fully rid your home of mice and seal up any entry points to prevent the pests from returning. For the health, safety, and comfort of you and your family, don’t delay in contacting a licensed exterminator for mice if you have an active mouse infestation in your home.
