House mouse vs field mouse vs Norway Rat
First lets start out by identifying what type of mouse you have in your home. the two most common types of house mice in the Evansville area are house mice, and Field mice.
-Weighs 1/2 oz to 3/4 oz - adult body length is typically 2.5 to 4 inches - tail length is about the same as the body - fur is usually light brown to black, with a lighter underbelly
- Weighs 1/4 oz to 1/2 oz
- adult body length is typically 1.5 to 2.5 inches
- tail length is about one inch
- fur is usually light brown or gray, with a lighter underbelly
Now lets discuss some of the major differences between the two.
- Field mice are very destructive in they're path to finding food. they will chew through wood, plastic, and thin sheet metal. They often make holes in the foundation or wall of homes they enter.
- Field mice usually stay close to their nests; which are commonly found in grassy areas, wood piles, and sometimes in garages.
- House mice more commonly referred to as 'hantavirus carriers'. they do not cause damage to property but they are known for being a carrier of the hantavirus. house mice rarely live past 12 months which makes them less harmful than field mice. - House mice are great climbers and can often be found in the upper levels of a home.
Norway Rat:
- reaches a length of 10-12 inches including the tail - Weighs 1/2 to 2 lbs - have a blunt nose, small eyes, and relatively small ears The Norway Rat is the largest of the these rodents. They are typically reddish brown or black in color with a lighter underbelly. How do you know if you have a mouse in your home? Having a rodent in your home can be one of the most unsettling experiences. As soon as you know or suspect that you have a mouse, rat, or other rodent in your home, it is important to take action. Mice are known for their ability to squeeze into very small spaces, so they can be hard to spot. There are a few clues that you can look for, such as if you see droppings around your home. Mice droppings are about the size of a grain of rice and have a pointed end. You might also hear noises in your walls or ceilings, especially at night.
Signs of mice in your home
1. mouse droppings 2. sounds of mice 3. chewed wires or insulation 4. holes in your walls or ceilings 5. mouse urine odor 6. Gnaw Marks 7. shredded paper 8. tiny holes in food products such as cereal grains 9. seeing a mouse or mouse nest
What to do if you have a mouse in your house? If you notice any signs of mice in your home, it is important to take action immediately. The longer you wait, the more likely mice will cause extensive damage. The first step in getting rid of mice is to inspect the areas where they are most active. You can do this by using a flashlight at night or when it is dark or by looking for signs that they have been there (see above). Once you have identified the areas where mice are active, you can take steps eliminate the activity. This might include using classic wooden snap traps with peanut butter traps or poison bait. It is important to be very careful when using traps or poison bait, as they can be dangerous if not used correctly. Always read the instructions carefully and follow all safety precautions. If you are uncomfortable using traps or poison bait, you can call pest control professionals. If you choose this route, make sure to do thorough research before hiring a company to ensure they are reliable and experienced. Yikes Pest Control out of Southern Indiana, would be able to offer this type of service. For information check out our website, or give us a call or text at 812-604-7206. If you live near Posey County, Evansville, r any surrounding area check out our rates HERE. How to get rid of a mouse in your house? Unless you catch the issue early you most likely have more than just one mouse. If you suspect you have a mouse infestation you need to take action immediately to get rid of these unwelcome guests. So how do you get rid of a mice that have decided to make your house their home? You have to be very strategic in your approach.
Here are some tips to get rid of mice:
Inspect : The first step is to identify the areas where the mice are active. You can do this by using a flashlight at night or when it is dark or by looking for signs that they have been there (see above). Once you have identified the areas where the mice are active, you can take steps to eliminate the activity. 1. Traps : One of the best ways to get rid of mice is with traps. You can use mouse traps or more advanced live catch traps . When using a trap, it is important to use bait. Mice eat just about anything they love peanut butter, so that is a good choice. You can also try chocolate, cat food, or other types of food/ pet food. Just make sure to use a small amount of the food. If you put too much, the mouse might steal the food without setting off the trap. 2. Bait stations or bait traps : Another option is to use poison bait . This option has its benefits and drawbacks. It is very effective, but can be dangerous if pets or children ingest it. If this is th option you choose make sure to place the bait in a tamper-proof container and keep it out of reach of children and pets. 3. Glue Boards or glue traps: Another option for getting rid of mice is glue boards. This is the least effective way to eliminate activity, and the least humane way to get rid of the mice. 4. Call a professional : If you are uncomfortable using traps or poison bait you can call pest control professionals. If you choose this route, make sure to do thorough research before hiring a company to ensure they are reliable and experienced. Once again Yikes Pest Control out of Southern Indiana, would be able to offer this type of service if you think you have a house mouse or field mouse inside of your home. Remember, if you find mice nests, nesting material, or dead mice in your home you should remove mice immediately.
Tips for keeping mice out of your house.
If you do not currently have an issue or just want to make sure more mice do not enter you home there are several preventative steps you can do to ensure that the mice stay out. 1. Make sure that all food is properly stored in glass or metal containers with sealed lids . This includes not only pet food but also any canned foods you have in your kitchen pantry. You may have noticed that mice are drawn to certain types of foods, so it is important to store food safely from these pests. 2. Keep your home clean . It is important to spend time each day cleaning out your counters, stovetops, and drawers to make sure that there are no crumbs or food residue left behind by you or your family members. If you have pets make sure they are also part of the cleaning process as well by cleaning up any food/water bowls, and pet beds. 3. Eliminate entry points : Mice can enter your home through a number of different points. Check for cracks around doors, windows, vents etc., fill in the cracks with caulk or sealant, exclude mice by replacing weather stripping if needed. Make sure to check plumbing as well as they may attempt to use the pipes to gain entry into your house. 4. Exclude outside: You can also seal up some of the holes that mice use to get into your home by using wire mesh, hardware cloth, steel wool, or metal sheeting. By excluding mice from entering your home you can lower the chance of having a rodent infestation inside. 5. Bait Stations: Another good way to make sure you don't have mice in your home is by placing a rodent bait station on the exterior of your home. These stations can be fitted to contain either active bait or snap traps and can catch activity prior to them creating a mouse population inside. Deter mice from entering your home by keeping an eye out for any signs, keeping all pet food mice may enjoy in airtight containers, sealing entry points, checking out possible nesting areas, checking out your home's foundation for any signs of access points. keeping food sources away from foundation. If you want help to get rid of the entire population of mice, mice nests, rats, or any other rodents, give us a call or text
for a free quote. Yikes Pest Control 812-604-7206 www.yikespest.com