Why It Is So Hard To Completely Get Rid Of Mice In Houston Homes

While mice may invade your Houston home because they’re looking to wait out the winter or they’re on the hunt for food, that doesn’t mean they’re welcome guests. Here’s what Houston residents should know about the dangers mice can bring into homes, why it’s never “just one” mouse, how to prevent these pests, and the best way to get rid of these rodents.

The Dangers Mice Bring To Houston Homes

Mice may look harmless at first glance, but these rodents are dangerous, and here’s how:

• They transmit disease. House mice can spread a variety of different diseases to you or your family, including hantavirus, tularemia, salmonella, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LMCV). This contamination generally happens when they leave fecal matter or urinate in your home but may also happen through bites or scratches.
• They can damage your home. Mice have very strong teeth that allow them to chew through vinyl, plastic, wood, and plenty of other materials in your home. These rodents may damage electrical wires and other structural items while they’re infesting your house.
• They can bring parasites into your home. It’s not uncommon for mice to also be infested with parasites, like mites, ticks, or fleas. These parasites may use rodents as temporary hosts and then infest your family or pets once they’re inside your house.

Where There’s One Mouse There Are Many More In Houston

When they spot a mouse in their house, many homeowners make the mistake of thinking it’s “just one” mouse – but like many pests, seeing even just a single mouse can signal that there are more nearby. Not only do mice reproduce and grow their infestations quickly, but they’re also nocturnal creatures and rarely spotted. If you are seeing mice out in the open, especially during the day, it could be a sign that their nests have become overcrowded and they’re looking for a new hiding spot.

Easy & Effective Mouse Prevention Tips For Houston Homes

While mice may be dangerous for you and your family, there are some simple ways to prevent them from infesting your home, such as:

• Seal off your home. Mice only need a hole the size of a pen to enter your home, so you’ll need to seal off potential gaps and cracks with rodent-proof materials, like steel wool.
• Remove debris from your yard. Overgrown bushes, shrubs, and yard debris near your home can provide shelter for mice and give them easy access to your home. Make sure you regularly keep up with lawn maintenance and remove yard debris. 
• Properly store your food. Leftovers sitting out or other food scraps can be mouse attractions, so properly storing your food can help prevent this. 
• Seal your trash can. For both outdoor and indoor trash cans, you’ll want to regularly empty these cans and make sure you’re keeping them sealed. 
• Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink. Just like leftovers can bring mice in, so can dirty dishes that have been sitting too long. Mice aren’t picky, and dirty dishes with food particles will look just as appetizing as a plate of leftover food. Try to avoid leaving dirty dishes sitting in your sink overnight. 
• Consider picking up a new friend at your local shelter. While you can’t completely rely on cats for rodent control, cats can be a good deterrent for keeping future mice away and controlling those that get too close.

The Best Way To Finally Get Rid Of Mice In Your Houston Home

While you implement some of the tips above to deter future mouse infestations, there’s only one safe and effective way to get rid of mice in your Houston home, and that’s with All-Safe Pest & Termite. Having served the Houston area for over thirty years, we’ve got over 20,000 satisfied customers and a wide variety of treatment options to meet the needs of your Houston home.

If you think you may have a mouse problem in your house, there’s no infestation too large or too small for All-Safe Pest & Termite – call us today to schedule your free estimate or to learn more about our rodent control services.