Mice have been a bother to human beings for as long as history can remember. These animals take advantage of our way of life, stealing our food and living in our homes. If you’ve recently spotted a mouse in your home or business, you may be wondering how long it’s been there and for how long it will stay. Unfortunately, mice are not a migratory species. If they’re happy where they are, they will stay forever. If you need help removing mice, call Mouse Control Kitchener.
Two species of mice are very common in Canada: the house mouse and the deer mouse. While the house mouse is mostly grey or brown, the deer mouse has a brown back and a white belly. Both mice grow up to about 10cm in length, but the house mouse is usually a bit smaller. These mice are primarily herbivores and they are attracted to the warmth, shelter, and proximity to food that human structures provide. Once inside, they build nests in hidden areas, such as between walls. As nocturnal animals, mice will come out at night to feed on whatever scraps and stores of food they find.
Mice have what is called a commensal relationship with humans; they benefit from us without causing us any significant harm. Mice therefore migrate with humans – wherever we go, they will follow. But just as we like to stay put in our cities and villages, mice tend to stick around with us. Once a mouse has found a good place to live, like a suburban home, it will stay. Nests usually consist of one male and one or two females who breed together and raise pups. Their offspring, when they grow up, will venture out to create their own families, but they won’t go far. An infested home will indefinitely continue to have mice.
Because mice won’t go away on their own, you must take action to get rid of them. First, make your home less attractive, then, make it less accessible. Reduce the amount of clutter you have in and around the home so that there are fewer hiding spots. Store food in tightly sealed containers and clean the kitchen on a regular basis. Check the walls of your home for any cracks or crevices the mice could be using to get inside, then seal them up with silicone caulking. Install weatherstripping to the garage door as well as the front and back doors of the house. You can then begin to set traps.
If there are mice in your home or place of business, they are there to stay. Mice will stick around as long as there is food and shelter. It’s important that you act fast before their numbers multiply and the problem gets out of hand. Consider getting the help of a professional. A pest removal technician will not only have the best traps and baits available but will know where to find the mice and how to target them in the most efficient way possible. Reach out to Pest Control Kitchener for the best mouse removal and pest-proofing services.