Basics on Mice in the Fall

Cartoons may portray them as cute, but for homeowners, mice are pests that you never want to see. Mice can be a health hazard and carry disease, and the fall is a particularly popular time for them to try and enter your home.

At Greenside, our pest control services include rodent extermination that covers mice and several other larger rodents. Here are some basics on why mice are dangerous in the home, why they often become more aggressive during fall, and how you can help prevent them during this season.

General Mice Threats

Mice are threats to both your home and the health of you and your family. They chew and gnaw on things to find ways into structures, then build nests in hidden areas you can’t see. They’ll chew on just about anything – paper, fabric, drywall and even wires. They can cause fire hazards when they chew wires, on top of the standard damage they create.

From a health standpoint, mice are a risk. They often carry diseases, and you don’t have to touch or be bitten by one to be at risk. Sweeping their feces up on the floor can actually release dangerous diseases into the air.

Why Fall?

Mice become more aggressive in the fall for one simple reason: Temperature. It’s starting to get colder, and mice are looking for a place to find shelter and live in peace. They’re most active at night, and can damage your home and leave feces in bad areas without you even being aware of it.

Preventing Mice

There are a few things you can do to help prevent mice in the home in the fall:

• Seal all cracks and crevices around the home and foundation
• Install door sweeps on doors and weather stripping on the bottom of garage doors
• Seal holes and cracks around windows or doors
• Store food in airtight containers
• Clean up all messes right away

For more on mice and how to prevent them during their popular fall season, or to find out about any of our pest removal services, speak to the pros at Greenside today.