Does your home smell a bit “off?” Are you wiping the counters after dinner, only to see a mouse dropping here or there in the morning? What about that scratching and squeaking in the walls at night? You could be seeing the first signs of a rodent infestation, so now is the time to act quickly!
There are some red flags to look out for when it comes to these uninvited guests in your home. Look out for these three easy signs of a rodent infestation.
Smell
No matter how many air fresheners you use, you can’t seem to get rid of that “smell.” Mice urinate frequently to mark their territories, and their urine has a very ammonia-like smell. Often the scent is strongest when the nest is nearby. Mice also leave droppings in seemingly endless quantities because they have to eat and chew constantly. According to this article published by LiveScience, the omnivorous nature of mice attributes to their mostly plant-based diets and frequent pit-stops.
Sight
Mice will make cozy nests for themselves and their offspring with materials like paper, fabric, and other fibrous matter. If you see bathroom tissue that’s been shredded, or bits of plaster that look to have been chewed, these are signs of an impending rodent infestation. It means they’ve found your house hospitable and are looking to move in!
If the ordinarily nocturnal creatures become comfortable in your home, you could see them during the day, boldly scampering along the floorboards. Mice typically take the same path time and time again, until they have it memorised. You can look for signs like urine staining and streaks, and the musty odor will be stronger as you close in on the nest site.
Sound
Very little is more disturbing than being woken up at night by scratching and squeaking in your bedroom walls. If you hear mice squeaking, they’re definitely calling to one another. They’re very communicative animals, just like humans. When you find a great restaurant, the first thing you do is tell your friends and family. Mice do the same thing when they discover a delicious morsel in the kitchen, or a particularly snuggly bit of insulation to nest in. An article in EarthWise explains that mice “make sounds to express emotions and to communicate where another friendly rodent can find food sources, water, and shelter.”
What you can do
By the time these signs become apparent, mice and rodents have already made your house a home. It’s time to take action before it gets much worse. Contact your local pest controller to implement a pest control plan and install MouseMesh Air Brick Vent Covers as part of your proofing treatment. Stop animals at the door, and prevent them from becoming pests.
