Unlike many other mammals, mice don’t hibernate during the winter. Instead, they spend the season hoarding food and nesting in warmer spaces. Often, these warmer spaces end up being inside our homes. Here’s everything you need to know about mice during the winter:
They enter through small holes.
Mice are very small creatures that can squeeze into holes or gaps smaller than an inch wide. This means they easily fit in tiny cracks and crevices in the walls or foundation, or in small gaps around windows and doors. To escape the cold, mice squeeze into your home whichever way they can. Always make sure to seal gaps and holes, and apply the proper weather stripping to doors and windows. Don’t make it easy for these little rascals to make their way into your home!
They’re expert food hunters.
Mice are extremely active during the winter. They spend most of their time searching for food and stop at almost nothing to accomplish their goal. They feast on human food, pet food, scraps, garbage, and leftovers. They have powerful teeth that allow them to chew through wood and plastic, meaning they can gnaw their way through cabinets and contaminate your food. Make sure leftovers and pet food are securely stored, and never leave crumbs or trash out where mice can make it their next meal.
They’re active nesters.
Gathering materials to build their nest is part of a mouse’s everyday to-do list. For your home, this can be detrimental. They cause immense amounts of damage to carpet, electrical wiring and sentimental items by chewing them to shreds for their nests. It doesn’t stop there, either. They get into your trash, lint and papers, as well.
They carry diseases.
In their everyday travels foraging for food and nesting materials, mice carry and spread diseases. They leave droppings, urine and grease wherever they go. You’ll often find these signs of mice in areas where there’s food, such as pantries, cabinets, countertops, baseboards, and small appliances with leftover crumbs. They track bacteria from their droppings and urine to these places in your home, contaminating your food and spreading disease.
They make unsettling noises
As if stealing food, contaminating your home and damaging your items wasn’t enough, mice also make all kinds of unsettling noises. Scratching and the little pitter patter of mouse feet can be heard in the walls, ceilings and other corners of your home throughout all hours of the day. This can disturb your day-to-day tasks or even cause you to have trouble sleeping.If you notice signs of mice in your home this winter, it’s time to reach out to your trusted Omaha rodent control experts here at Pro-Staff. Call us today at (402) 819-7378 or contact us online for a free inspection.
