In Winnipeg, many of us shack up inside our homes during the winter and avoid venturing out into the cold whenever possible. But you may not be the only one who’s seeking warmth in your house. What’s that sound you hear in the attic? Who keeps leaving droppings in your sock drawer? If you notice these signs, you may have a mouse problem on your hands. Is that rodent looking for a place to sleep through the winter, or have they decided to move in with you?
Unfortunately, mice do not hibernate in the winter (but wouldn’t it be great if they did?). Any homeowner who’s dealt with a pest infestation knows that rodents tend to appear around this snowy season. Why? Because it’s cold outside, and they want to get inside your house to warm up and find food. Most pest problems crop up in the summer, but rodents are unique; once they’re inside your home, they are active during the winter, and they reproduce quickly.
Mice can fit inside spaces as small as the eraser of a pencil. They look for cracks in your foundation or external pipes and infiltrate through them. Once they’re in, it’s challenging to get them out. They are typically most active at night and only travel a small, safe radius. They like to hoard food, set up a den, and sit tight. It might be easy to squish an ant or crush a cockroach, but catching a mouse isn’t as simple. Left unchecked, two rodents can multiply rapidly, and then you’ll be dealing with a bigger problem.
Young children may find mice cute, but there’s nothing pretty about the havoc they wreak on your home. For one, they damage your property. From chewing insulation to spoiling it with their waste, they create a real mess in any home they inhabit. If they get inside your pantry, they can ruin hundreds of dollars worth of groceries by tearing through packages and eating the food inside.
Mice also spread diseases. There are up to 35 diseases that can be spread by rodents, including Hantavirus. Mice droppings are known to irritate allergies. The fur on a mouse can contain ticks or fleas that will be brought inside your home. They may even have internal parasites. In other words, mice are infectious creatures that can threaten the health of your household.
Finally, they stink! The smell of a mouse den is truly repugnant. If you notice a strange smell in your room, check behind furniture and inside cabinets. You might find a den of unwanted guests. Be careful to wear a mask when disturbing or cleaning these areas to protect yourself.
The earlier you act against mice, the better; they reproduce quickly, and an infestation gets out of control in no time. Managing a mouse nest takes expertise. It involves plugging any outside holes, securing open food sources, and strategically placing traps. It’s a job for a professional.
The most efficient way to eliminate a rodent problem is by contacting a mouse exterminator in Winnipeg. If you suspect that there’s a mouse in your house, call Gilles Lambert Pest Control Services.
