What are Mice?

Mice are a small species of rodent. There are hundreds of species of mice found living all across North America, but one of the most common and easily recognized species is the house mouse. The house mouse, like all rodents, have sharp, continuously growing front incisors; mice constantly need to chew on hard objects in order to prevent their teeth from overgrowing.

The house mouse grows to between 5 ½ and 7 inches in length including the length of their tail. Their large, rounded ears and scaly tail are both covered in a thin layer of velvet-like fur. House mice have a pointed nose and their fur ranges in color from grayish-brown to almost black; they have a lighter colored belly that is usually tan or off-white.

Why do I have them?

Mice are attracted to properties that offer them easy access to food, water, and shelter. Bird feeders, unsecured garbage cans, woodpiles, gardens, and compost piles can all attract mice to your property. While mice can enter homes, garages, sheds, and other buildings any time of the year, they are especially problematic in the late fall when they are trying to secure a place to overwinter.

Mice can enter buildings by squeezing their bodies through very small spaces; once inside, they are typically found hiding in places that are close to food sources including behind walls, in crawl spaces, behind large appliances, in attics, and in the back corners of cabinets.

Are they dangerous?

Mice are considered to be dangerous to both people and property. Mice can cause a lot of damage to the structure of a home and to personal belongings because of their constant need to chew. They can spread many serious diseases including lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM), salmonellosis, dysentery, and leptospirosis; and they can introduce parasites like fleas, mites, and ticks into your home. Also, while foraging for food and water sources in your home, they will cause food in kitchen and pantry areas and food prep areas to become contaminated with their urine, feces, and saliva.

How do I get rid of mice?

Eliminating mice from a property can be very difficult because mice are nocturnal, shy, and elusive creatures. Completely eliminating mice from your property requires the knowledge and experience of a trained professional.

The highly trained exterminators at American Pest understand the habits and habitats of mice, and after a thorough inspection, we will provide a tailored rodent control solution that will meet the needs of your specific property.

Can I do it myself?

There are many DIY products on the market to “eliminate mice”, but the truth of the matter is that these products are mostly ineffective because they are often not used correctly and do nothing to solve the root of the mouse infestation. By not solving the why of a mouse infestation, a re-infestation is very likely to occur.

Also, many of the products found at big box stores can be very harmful to both people and pets if not used or mixed correctly. The best solution to a mouse infestation is to contact the rodent control experts at American Pest; our professionals can eliminate any sized mouse infestation from Washington, D.C. area properties and keep them from returning.

How soon can you get here?

We pride ourselves on our speed and on our level of service. For that reason, we make every effort to make sure we can be with you the same or the very next day.

Is the treatment safe?

Every product used by American Pest has first been extensively tested by the EPA and registered for pest control use. Only then do we use it; and we apply it following a strict set of guidelines for use near humans and pets.

How can I prevent this in the future?

Mice are very difficult pests to prevent. They can enter inside through very small spaces that you may not know even exist. There are some steps that you can take to help deter mice from utilizing your property and prevent an infestation.

• Thoroughly inspect the exterior walls and foundation of your home sealing or repairing any cracks, crevices, or spaces.
• Caulk gaps around windows and doors and install door sweeps on exterior doors.
• Place tight fitting caps on your chimneys, make sure vent covers are secure, and seal spaces around utility lines and pipes that enter your home.
• Place woodpiles, compost piles, and garbage cans a good distance away from the outside of your home. Make sure that garbage cans have tight fitting or locking lids on them.
• Trim back trees and shrubs from the exterior of your home.
• Remove bird feeders from your property.
• Make sure that food in your kitchen is stored in air-tight containers, quickly clean up spills and crumbs in kitchen and pantry areas, and keep clutter to a minimum in storage areas like attics, basements, and closets.

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