Don’t Judge Mice By Their Outside

Many people say that mice are cute.  With their big black eyes, long whiskers and cute little paws and nose I can see how people would think that.  They are attractive and look as though they could possibly be cuddly, with their fuzzy little bodies and their cute pair of ears.  But, just like so many other things in life, don’t judge mice by their cover or outside.  There is much more to mice than their cute exterior.

Mice are scavengers by nature.  They are always on the look-out for food, water and shelter. They spend their days scurrying through trash, compost and waste.  Their cute little furry paws and belly are perfect for picking up germs and viruses from these places.  They also are a great host for fleas, ticks and mites that they pick up in their travels.  These mites, fleas and ticks carry their own regiment of diseases and viruses.

Mice can sneak in through a dime sized hole. Mice have this amazing ability to collapse their rib cage and make themselves almost flat.  This skill enables them to fit through some pretty tiny openings.  It’s been said that they only need a space of about 1/4” to squeeze through.  One fourth of an inch is a pretty small opening to be looking for when mouse proofing properties.  It seems almost impossible.

Mice love to chew. Mice are in the rodent family; which means that there two front teeth are constantly growing. They have an uncontrollable need to constantly chew to keep their teeth size manageable.  This isn’t such a bad trait when they are living outdoors in the wilderness, but it’s a HUGE problem when they take up residence indoors.  They are noted for chewing through wires, insulation and just about any other substance that interests them.  It has been speculated that a large portion of fires in the U.S. that are deemed as ‘cause unknown’ were actually due to electrical wires being damaged and unsafe because to mice.  These home wreckers aren’t looking quite as cute now, are they.

Mice are dirty, destructive and disease carriers.  Their presence is not something to take lightly, especially when they are inside your property. 

Whether you own a home, condo or business rodent prevention is crucial. How do you prevent mice? Here are 3 easy steps you can try:

1. Seal up any cracks or crevices you may find around your property. Mice are sneaky and can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime so leave no opening overlooked.

2. Be sure to store food in air tight containers or in the fridge. Mice are commensal, which means they rely partly on us for their survival; don't feed the mice!

3. Store firewood, building supplies and debris at least 20 feet from your home. "Piles" of items provide shelter for mice and the closer to your home, the more likely they are to find a way inside.

The experts here at All-American are the perfect choice for all your rodent and pest control needs.  Mice inside a property can mean a flea, tick or mite infestation, as well as damage from their chewing and diseases from their waste.  Don’t delay, contact us today to start your mouse free life.