Where Do Mice Nest?
Mice are some of the most common pests in Virginia. It’s not unusual for homeowners to find mice in their homes, sheds, or garages, especially in the fall, but it is problematic. A mouse infestation will lead to property damage that can sometimes be severe. Mice also carry and spread diseases that can adversely affect your family or pets.
Knowing where mice nest can help you identify a mouse infestation in your Hampton Roads home early on. This will ensure you get to the root of the problem quickly, which lessens the potential for home damage and the spread of illnesses. Learn what you need to know about nesting mice below.
Common nesting sites for mice
Mice are skittish creatures. They are naturally cautious and don’t want to be the center of attention. Because of this, you’ll rarely see them out in the open. If you spot a mouse in your house, it’s likely to be running along the edge of the wall, trying to find a way to escape.
Because it’s rare to spot a mouse, you need to know where they nest so that you can identify an infestation. Mice nest in out-of-the-way locations that are relatively enclosed spaces. They can often be found in attics, sheds, garages, crawl spaces, basements, wall voids, and storage spaces. When looking in these locations, you need to look in secluded areas because they do not build their nests out in the open. Look under or behind appliances, inside or behind boxes, and other enclosed spaces and crevices.
How mice get into Hampton Roads homes
Knowing where to find mice nests in your home is essential, but it’s also important to understand how mice get into your Hampton Roads home in the first place. You may think that they’d need an open door, crawl space, or window to access your house, but mice can get inside through tiny openings that are much smaller than they are. Most mice can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime, which makes it easy for them to enter your home through nearly any little crack or gap they find around your house. Chimneys that aren’t capped and vents that aren’t covered are common entry points for mice.
How to prevent mice from nesting in your Hampton Roads home
Although mice find it easy to get into homes, you can take measures to avoid a mouse infestation and prevent mice from nesting in your Hampton Roads home. Try these prevention tips to keep your home mouse-free:
- Seal all cracks, crevices, gaps, and holes around the exterior of your foundation and siding.
- Keep your grass cut short.
- Trim foliage and branches around the perimeter of your house to avoid bridges that mice could use to get onto your roof.
- Keep your landscaping well-maintained, and consider eliminating landscape elements such as rock walls as harborage areas for mice.
- Remove outdoor food sources, like birdseed and pet food.
- Store garbage bins and wood piles away from your house.
- Eliminate clutter both outdoors and inside your house.
- Store all food in the refrigerator or sealed containers.
- Keep your countertops, sinks, floors, and cabinets free of crumbs, spills, and other messes.
- Wash dishes or put them in the dishwasher as soon as they’re dirty.
- Take out the trash regularly.
By taking these simple steps, you can help prevent mice from getting into your home.
What to do if you find a mouse nest or mice in your home
If mice have already entered your home, you’ll want to eliminate them quickly. A mouse infestation can harm your home and family, and it’s not easy to eliminate these pests using DIY methods. Getem Services provides customized rodent control services in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Hampton Roads.
We begin our rodent control with a comprehensive inspection to identify the size of the infestation and where the mice are spending time. This inspection includes the interior and exterior of your house so that nothing is missed.
Once we know the details of the infestation, we’ll recommend a treatment plan customized to your specific needs. We use a variety of solution-based methods to solve the problem, including traps, bait stations, and exclusion services.
If you want year-round mouse control and prevention, you’ll want to take advantage of our quarterly residential pest control. In addition to providing ongoing rodent control, we’ll also protect your home from a variety of common Hampton Roads pests. No matter which type of rodent control is right for you, Getem Services is ready to help you make and keep your home free of damaging mice. Contact us to get started today!
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