Mice are common animals, so most people have an awareness of their appearance. But, while they are commonly seen around homes and businesses and also a staple of children’s literature and media, they aren’t just friendly, adorable creatures. House mice that invade Bryan properties are very dangerous to have around, and knowing how to effectively control mice is essential.
What’s The Difference Between Mice And Rats?
Both mice and rats are rodents that have become dependent on humans for their own survival, and they do look rather similar. They also cause similar kinds of destruction and danger, but there are key differences between them.
In regards to appearance, you can identify mice over rats by their long, thin tails, pointy faces, and fur-covered ears. Mice are also much smaller than rats and only get to be around four to six inches, including their tails. Rats, on the other hand, can get over 15 inches long.
When it comes to behavior, there aren’t as many differences, but mice are able to reproduce more quickly. Their smaller size also enables them to hide in more places and squeeze inside properties a bit easier.
The Dangers Of House Mice
To start with, mice are one of the most destructive pests around despite their small size. They can gnaw through all kinds of materials such as drywall, caulking, plastic, wires, pipes, and more. This means they can destroy many things throughout your property, and it also makes mouse prevention difficult. And, did we mention that mice can fit through holes the size of a dime?
When mice do find a way inside, the problems get even worse. They pose many health risks to humans as they can spread diseases such as hantavirus and salmonellosis. They can also cause many respiratory problems, including allergies and asthma attacks. In fact, even the things they leave behind, like their fur, urine, and feces, can make you sick.
Six Mouse Prevention Tips
Preventing mice is not the easiest task in the world, given their ability to find ways into a home or business, but this doesn’t mean there aren’t things you can do to guard against them. While mouse prevention isn’t a complete guarantee, you can make your property less appealing to them and shore up entry points.
Here are six tips to follow:
- Remove access to garbage cans by placing tight-fitting lids on all of them.
- Clean up food debris like crumbs and spills immediately.
- Get rid of clutter both inside the building and around it.
- Seal up holes and cracks in the walls and foundation using steel wool.
- Cover vents and chimney openings with wire mesh as mice can’t chew through it.
- Reach out to pest control professionals in the area.
Removing Mice The Easy Way
Even if you try your hardest, you could still end up with mice inside your property. These rodents are just very difficult to prevent, but if you do end up with an infestation, don’t fear. The pest control experts at EnviroGuard are here to assist you.
We offer rodent control services for your home or business, and you can rely on our many years of experience. Find out more about how to protect your home from mice by giving us a call today.