Waking up in the morning to the sounds of scratching inside your walls is unnerving because something unwanted is in your house. Hearing clawing sounds or seeing evidence of mice in your home indicates you need the best pest control In San Mateo, Pacific Pest Management. We will find the source of your problem and work with you to eliminate mice in the house.
How Are Mice Getting In My House?
When you hear or see evidence of mice, the first question is: how are mice getting into my house? Although mice can live outdoors, they prefer to live in dark, secluded areas of structures. Houses are perfect locations because there are dark, hidden areas in walls, attics, and basements. Those areas have materials for nests: insulation, fabrics, paper products, and more.
Mice are among the smallest members of the rodent family and range in size from 2 1/2 to 3 3/4 inches long. Due to their small dimensions, they can squeeze through small entryways into your home.
Mice in the house may be due to the following entry points:
- Cracks and crevices in the foundation
- Corner posts
- Under the roof
- Chimneys
- Holes for utility lines into the home
- Basement doors
Mice are great climbers. They can scale gutters and climb onto the roof and, subsequently, into the chimney. They can also find cracks under shingles and enter the attic. Many houses in San Mateo use vinyl siding, which incorporates hollow corner posts, thus giving mice another avenue of entry. Finally, utility installers don't always seal holes around gas or cable lines, thus leaving enough room for a mouse to squeeze through. If you have mice in your house, our team will work with you on the fastest way to get rid of mice.
What Attracts Mice?
Mice want a warm, secluded, dark place to stay that provides shelter from the weather. Although they can live outside, they cannot survive harsh, cold weather. As the temperature drops, mice — particularly pregnant mice — look for warm shelter, and that is why you are more likely to have problems with mice in your home during the colder winter months.
Mice like to eat, and they enter homes searching for food. Naturally, they prefer seeds and grains, but they will eat just about anything. Like most humans, mice have a penchant for sweet foods such as syrup, candies, honey, etc. Other foods which attract mice are pet foods, particularly the wet kind. Mice also like pre-digested food such as animal waste and compost. Yards with dog waste are also enticing to mice.
Items on the exterior of your house that may attract mice to your location include fruit trees or plants, gardens, and shrubs. These plants provide food, shelter, or both to mice. Mice will return to previously used locations. If you have had them in your home and you didn't get rid of mice in a proper way, they will likely return.
How Long Do Mice Live For?
Mice live for nine months to over one year and reproduce quickly during their short lifespan. For instance, a single female may give birth to 25 to 30 babies during her life. Although they don't live long, it doesn't take much time for a couple of mice in your San Mateo home to turn into dozens.
How Do I Get Rid Of The Mice In My Walls?
If you hear mice inside walls, do the following:
- Find the openings where they are entering the wall.
- Set traps along the pathway mice travel.
While those methods will help, you need the best pest control for mice to remove mice from inside your walls. Our trained experts at Pacific Pest Management know where to look, and we can find entry points that most homeowners miss. In addition, our proven techniques will keep mice out for good.