Identifying the Common Mouse: Differentiating Mice from Other Rodents
There are several different types of mice, but there are also many different types of rodents. Knowing how to tell if you have mice in your house rather than rats, voles, or some other species of rodent in Cleveland is useful information because it can affect the treatment methods used to remove them.
Mice and rats are fairly easy to tell apart. Mice have small, round bodies, big ears that stand up off their heads, pointed faces, and thin tails. Rats are quite a bit larger than mice, with long bodies, small ears, blunt faces, and thick, scaly tails.
It’s easier to mistake mice and voles because of their similar size and appearance, but there are some distinct differences. Voles have stockier bodies and shorter tails than mice. Their faces aren’t as pointy, and their ears are partially hidden and much less pronounced. Voles also do not commonly invade homes. While a vole may mistakenly enter a home, it’s unlikely that the rodent you find in your house is a vole.
Why Mice Are a Problem: Health Risks and Property Damage
If you’ve seen signs of mice in your home, you have good reason to be concerned. Although they are small—and some would even say cute—mice are quite destructive. Like all rodents, they have incisors that grow continuously throughout their lives. To keep these teeth at a manageable length, they have to gnaw them down. Mice will chew on just about anything they come into contact with, whether that be your personal belongings, home insulation, wiring, or other important components of your house. Allowing mice to remain in your home can put it at risk of flooding, fire, mold, and other issues.
Mice are also harmful to your health. They will leave their waste wherever they go, including on your kitchen counters and in your cabinets. This waste will build up in the areas where mice choose to nest. In addition to the potential for their droppings to contaminate your food, they can also release hantavirus into the air, which can cause a serious respiratory illness.
The Importance of Prompt Mouse Removal: Call Us Right Away!
To avoid the many problems that mice cause when they get into your house, you need to get rid of them as quickly as possible once you discover an infestation. At the first sighting or sign of a mouse, get the best mouse control in Cleveland by calling Epcon Lane. We use our extensive knowledge of mouse biology and behavior to eliminate active infestations entirely. We also offer exclusion services to make sure mice don’t return to your home.
Preventive Measures for Mice: Keep Them Out Before They Get In
Mouse prevention is the best way to avoid trouble before it begins. If mice never get into your house, you won’t have to fix any of the damage they cause. We recommend the following preventive measures:
- Seal all entry points into your home, even the smallest cracks.
- Cut back vegetation, remove yard debris, and keep your grass trimmed.
- Store firewood away from your house.
- Remove food sources, such as bird seed or pet food, from your yard.
- Eliminate standing water and other moisture issues around your yard and inside your house.
- Store all food in sealed containers.
- Take out your garbage on a regular basis.
- Remove clutter inside your house.
Whether you need help with the prevention process or are already in need of mouse removal services, Epcon Lane can help. Get in touch with us, and we’ll make sure your home is 100% mouse-free.
