Mice Identification & Prevention

Mice are small rodents, and one of the most common species that home and business owners must deal with is the house mouse. From head to tail, adults grow to between 5 ½ and 7 inches in length. Their body has gray, brown, or black fur, and their belly is a lighter tan color. They have large ears, a pointed nose, and a long skinny tail covered in a light layer of velvety fur.

House mice are prolific breeders. Their gestation period is only three weeks, and they have up to five pups per litter. Their ability to breed quickly makes them difficult pests to control.

Controlling mice and preventing them from finding their way into your home is essential. They contaminate food and surfaces with their saliva, excrement, and urine. Mice spread bacteria and human pathogens that make people ill. Also, many people are allergic to their shed fur and feces. 
When they get into your home or other building, these small rodents are responsible for damaging structures as well as personal property. All rodents have front incisors that continuously grow. To prevent their teeth from overgrowing, they chew on anything they come across. Inside a home or other structure, their chewing habits are incredibly damaging.

Mice are opportunistic and have come to rely on people for some of their food, water, and shelter needs. Mice will invade a home any time of year while out looking for food and shelter, but they tend to be more of a problem in the late fall and winter when the weather cools. Our warm, temperature-controlled homes offer safe shelter and plenty of access to food. Outside, mice make their nests under woodpiles, in areas of dense vegetation, or in tall grass. Tree hollows and tree stumps also make suitable nesting spots for mice.

Inside homes, mice place their nests close to their food sources, usually within 30 feet. Their nests are dome-shaped and often created from items they find around the house. They build their nests in quiet, out-of-the-way locations like inside cabinets, in drawers, in attics, and in-wall voids. Basements and attics are also popular nesting spots. Outside, mice live in our yards, gardens, parks, along riverbanks, in wooded areas, and in overgrown vegetation.

Acquiring help from a professional home pest control expert is the best way to eliminate mice and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property.

• Avoid problems with mice with the help of the following prevention tips.
• Check your exterior walls and foundation for openings and use caulk to seal them up.
• Keep your garage and shed windows and doors closed when not in use.
• Place mesh covers over vents leading into your home.
• Seal spaces around air-conditioners.
• Clean up piles of wood, leaves, and other organic debris from your yard where mice can hide.
• Trim back shrubs and trees from the exterior of your home.
• Store trash cans up off of the ground and away from the outside of your house.
• Put locking lids on trash cans and compost bins.
• Remove bird feeders from your property.