We expect a lot from our dogs. Our canine buddies help us deal with stress and depression. If you have a dog, you’re probably pretty active because you want to play with your pet. You may even be more social because you have a dog. A lot of our dogs have jobs, even informal ones. You can teach your dog to find your keys or to dance on command. Are you wondering if dogs keep mice away? Can dogs take care of mice like cats? Here’s what to know.

Are Dogs Good Deterrents Against Mice?

Mice are skittish. They may be scared by dogs, but eventually, the mice will learn how to avoid most dogs. Scientists have even studied whether dogs can prevent a mice infestation. Dogs and cats may reduce pest activity in your home, but the mice will set up home and continue to repopulate. Most dogs won’t catch and kill mice, which gives the mice an advantage.

What About Dogs That Are Bred For Rodent Control?

Some smaller breeds of dogs were actually bred to keep mice and rats away from crops and livestock. Dachshunds, papillons and terriers are hunters, but small enough to chase mice under furniture and in small crevices. However, these breeds don’t have the same predatory instincts they had in the past. Your dog won’t be able to keep up with the number of mice that can be in your home in just a few weeks. Learn how to keep mice away and out of your home.

Signs You Have a Mouse Infestation

One thing your dog can do is to alert you that you do have mice in your home. Your dog may hear scratching inside the walls before you do. If your dog is whining near the wall, it may be alerting you to pests. Some dogs, like cats, may kill one mouse and bring it to you. This is definitely a sign that you have other mice. You’ll want to look for other signs:

• Stale smells in the cabinets or in closets.
• Chewed up packages of food in your pantry.
• Rodent droppings under the sink or in drawers.
• Holes near the baseboards.
• Nesting materials in one area, such as shredded paper or pieces of chewed fabric.
• The smell of decaying mice.

How Do You Keep Mice Out of Your Home?

Instead of relying on your dog to keep mice away, you can call in professionals to get a handle on the problem. Mice can reproduce about every 21 days. A litter can have six to eight mice, so one mouse can create another 30 to 40 mice in just a year. You may start out with a pair of mice, but these two mice can produce an infestation in just a few months. House mice are a health hazard, especially as the infestation gets bigger. Mice carry bacteria that can make humans and pets sick. Mice can contaminate food sources. Some people even have allergic reactions to mice. The nesting materials are gross and can make someone ill.

The professionals with Skedaddle know how to get rid of mice in your home, humanely and safely. Once we take care of the pests in your home, we look for places where they got in and help you seal up the issues to prevent another infestation. Our team cleans up nests to keep your family from getting sick. We work with you to keep your home safe and comfortable against any pest that may want to take up residence. You can’t trust your dog to keep mice out of your home.

Contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control for mice removal in Richmond Hill. We’ll remediate the problem to keep your home and pets safe from mice.