Mice might be cute, but you do not want them taking up residence in your house and ductwork. Unfortunately, if you end up with one mouse in the house, you will likely end up with more, and depending on how long they go unnoticed, you could wind up with an infestation of hundreds.

As far as how mice get in the house, they come in from various entry points, from cracks in the foundation to holes in your roofline, or inadequate sealant. While you can take steps to prevent an infestation, it is crucial to know when you have a problem to mitigate other issues.

Signs of a Mice Infestation

In the process of learning how to get rid of mice, you will need to know how to tell if you have an infestation. Unlike other animals, mice are stealthy and do not make a habit of hurrying about when people are present. Some of the signs you might have a mouse problem include:

• Urine pillars
• Droppings
• Track prints
• Unusual pet activity
• Scratching sounds in the walls and ceilings
• Grease stains 
• Chewed food packaging and containers
• Chewed wires

In addition to the many visual cues, you might also notice a strong odour in specific areas of your home. Mice tend to produce a distinctive ammonia and musky scent that many people compare to stale urine.

Mice in the Ductwork

Unfortunately, if you have mice in your home, you probably have them in your ductwork. Mice can easily squeeze through grates, and they can make their way into the system’s machinery as well, chewing through wires and creating fire hazards.

Aside from the danger and fire risks, mice in the ductwork present some health concerns, primarily through the spread of their fecal matter. When a mouse defecates in a duct, the air current moving through will pick up particles from the waste and spread them throughout the home.

Rodent waste can carry bacteria, viruses, and parasites. You and your family do not want to breathe those things in.

Besides going to the bathroom in your vents, the ductwork of a home provides safe passage to every area of the house. Therefore, mice can travel from one room to the next without detection, making it even more challenging to determine if you have an infestation or not.

How To Keep Rodents Out of House

If you are concerned about a possible infestation, it is necessary to take measures to prevent such activity. You will need to inspect your property, looking for any potential entry points, including holes in siding, old seals, cracks in the foundation, and weak structural points. 

You also want to eliminate any food sources. You can begin by sealing all pet food in containers and getting garbage cans with lids. It would be best if you also began cleaning and sweeping up after every meal to prevent food scraps.

You should also keep any plants around your home trimmed and keep bird feeders away from the house structure. Bird feeders provide plenty of food, and plants or bushes provide shelter. When mice shelter close to a home, they become more motivated to move inside, especially when the weather gets colder.

Wildlife Professionals

If you believe you already have a rodent problem, you should call a wildlife professional. Even if you do not suspect an infestation, if you have seen mice near your property or inside a garage, there are likely more mice than you know.

At first sight of a mouse, contact rodent removal in Okanagan. Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control will safely and professionally correct your wildlife problem. The company will send a technician out to assess the property and determine if there is any reason for concern. If they find evidence of an infestation, they will explain your options.