It’s no secret that cats and mice are mortal enemies. As with any type of predator and prey, these animals have a dynamic where the mice tend to hide from the cats that give chase. Because of this, you may think that owning a cat is a good way to rid your home of mice. This isn’t always the case. Here’s what you need to know about the relationship between cats and mice.

Do Cats Really Deter Mice?

There are several ongoing studies being produced to analyze the effect a cat’s presence has on mice. Many people believe that owning a cat is enough to deter mice, but studies seem to indicate differently. A study conducted by the University of Florida found that mice were often found in homes with cats. The rodents may not be as active to avoid drawing the attention of the cat, but they were still often present.

Interestingly, the study found that mice were less likely to be present in homes that had both cats and dogs. The presence of multiple predators appeared to deter mice rather than simply changing their foraging habits.

However, the presence of cats in a home does prevent mice from coming out in the open. No one knows for sure why this happens, but studies indicate that there are two reasons for it. The first reason mice stay away from cats is because of their sense of smell. Pheremones from the cat indicate to the mouse that a predator is nearby so the rodent avoids coming in contact with the feline.

The second reason that mice are afraid of cats is because felines like to chase rodents down. Feral cats hunt for food, but domestic cats may toy with rodents they find. This is because domestic cats receive food from their owners and aren’t dependant on hunting for survival. They have the sae instincts, though, so they enjoy chasing mice.

How Do You Get Rid of Mice?

Mice multiply quickly and can overrun your home if they aren’t removed. While cats may deter mice from coming out in the open, they are not usually effective for preventing rodents from entering your home in the first place. If you start to hear skirring sounds in your walls or notice mouse droppings throughout your house, your best bet is to contact a professional for mouse removal. 

You don’t want mice in your home because they can carry numerous diseases and cause significant damage to the structure of your home. Because current studies indicate that the presence of a cat is not enough to keep mice out of your home, adopting a feline is not the most effective method for rodent control, although it does help. 

If you try to take care of the problem yourself, you could accidentally make the issue worse. Many rodents traps are inhumane and ineffective, and if you fail to get rid of every mouse in your home, you haven’t solved the problem. If you want to avoid harming the creatures, it’s best to leave mouse removal to the professionals.

How Can Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control Help You Get Rid of Mice?

If you need mice removal wildlife control in Milwaukee, Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control can help. Our experts have the knowledge and tools that are neccesary to catch mice humanely and release them in safer, more appropriate locations. Once we have removed all of the rodents from your home, we’ll help you identify potential points of entry so that you can block them and prevent nice mice from taking up residence in your home. We’ll also provide you with tips on how to make your home less appealing to mice. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for rodent removal.