Mice can be some of the most problematic pests in Columbus. They spread disease, contaminate food, and bring other parasites into your home. They also damage property with their incessant chewing and soil hard-to-reach areas in your home, and they breed quickly and will build their population if given a chance. Pest control in Columbus can be an integral part of keeping mice and other pests out of your home. Here's what you need to know.
How Do Mice Find Their Way Into Homes?
If you want to keep mice out of your house, one thing you need to focus on is the ways that they are getting inside. While they are larger than many insect pests, mice can fit through some remarkably small spaces, such as holes that are only as big around as a dime or gaps the width of a pencil. And any hole or gap that is not quite large enough can be expanded with their sharp teeth and strong jaws. Besides these gaps and holes, mice can also make their way inside through open windows and doors, spaces around utility entrances, and chimneys.
Different Things That May Be Attracting Mice
One of the best ways to get rid of mice is to think about the things that are attracting them and try to minimize them as much as possible. Like most pests, mice are looking for easy access to food, water, and shelter. You can reduce these factors with the following steps:
- Store food in covered containers.
- Cover both indoor and outdoor trash cans with tight-fitting lids and empty them regularly.
- Fix leaks and maintain drainage systems.
- Seal gaps and cracks in your exterior walls and foundation.
- Install weatherstripping and door sweeps.
If you can stop mice from getting inside and reduce the number of things attracting them in the first place, you can minimize your chances of an infestation in your home.
Typical Life Cycle Of The Common House Mouse
Mouse infestations can quickly get out of hand because of the speed of mice's life cycle. Female house mice can have up to six pups at a time, and the gestation period for mice is only about 20 days. They can continue to have additional litters every three weeks.
Mice are born as live young without fur, ears, or the ability to see. Mothers nurse their young for the first 21 days of life as they develop. At two months of age, female mice are fully matured and can begin having babies of their own.
Because of this reproductive rate, it's easy to see how a few mice can quickly become an overwhelming infestation!
Professional House Mouse Control In Columbus
Mice are dangerous pests for both your health and your belongings, and once they make it inside your home, infestations can spiral out of control. The best way to get rid of mice is with the help of a professional pest control company like 1st Response Pest Management.
Our rodent control services begin with a thorough inspection of your property for mice as well as the places they are nesting in your home and the entry points they are using. We then use tamper-resistant bait stations to clear up your infestation. Finally, we offer exclusion services to seal any entry points we find as well as installing chimney caps and garage door weatherstripping that comes with a one-year warranty.