Local Mice Numbers Rising

The last two or three years has seen an increase in the numbers of mice within the Cheshire region made apparent by the increased numbers of mice calls that local pest control companies are responding to.

One of the main reasons for this spike in the mouse population is milder winters, as that allows mortality rates for the mice to go down, birth rates go a little bit higher and the general survival rates to be greater. Other causes for the increase are city growth and the decline of the rodent's natural predators like the fox.

Once a mouse makes its way into a home, it makes its presence known by piddling on everything wherever it goes – they pee constantly to leave a scent trail so other mice can find it. They also crap everywhere, with statistics showing that a single mouse can leave approximately 100 droppings a day.

Mice can enter a home through an opening the size of a penny piece and it's extremely important to close all possible entry points to prevent an invasion. The first thing you need to do if you suspect that you have mice is to do an exterior inspection and seal up all holes. The next step would be deciding between baits or traps.

Traps are generally the preferred method as baits and poisons take longer to act. In addition, if you decide to use a trap, it makes it much easier to gauge the success of your pest control operation.

Mice tend to live under kitchen sinks, near refrigerators and, especially, in attics, because these provide direct access from the outdoors and mice like to climb. These are the ideal spots to place traps and poison.

They chew on everything and anything and a high percentage of household fires are caused by mice chewing on wires. They are also linked to specific diseases, such as salmonella and toxoplasmosis, which can prove fatal if contracted by a person with a weakened immune system. Mice also can transmit parasites such as ringworm, mites, tapeworms and ticks to humans and pets.

The best way to combat an infestation is to take away the rodents' shelter and food source before it becomes a problem:

• Seal off routes of pest entry including gaps in walls, pipes, pavement and other surfaces.
• Eliminate food scraps and store food to prevent access.
• Keep all pet food off the floor and sealed in hard containers with tight-fitting lids.
• Use regular rubbish pick-up.
• Set mouse traps in those areas where the largest amount of droppings are found.
• Bait traps with peanut butter and place facing the wall.
• Remove captured mice by using plastic bag turned inside out over the hand.
• Use a series of traps if the population warrants it.
• Disinfect the site with bleach.

Of course by following the guidelines above, you may not eradicate an already present mouse population, so unless you want to apply pest control yourself, you should call in the services of a local pest control company who will ensure that your local mouse population is reduced to zero.

Article provided by Dynamic Pest Control