Mouse droppings, hidden pieces of food, and a foul smell are some of the telltale signs that might prompt you to call Skedaddle for mice removal in Ottawa. But what if you don’t see these signs? Is it possible to have a rodent infestation in your home and not know it?

Mice can be sneaky in the ways they use human houses to meet their needs for food and shelter. One Ottawa family was shocked to discover mice under their front step. There were actual mice nesting up in pillars and bricks falling off. The homeowners had no idea how long the mice had been there.

Here is what happened when Skedaddle technician James Stork investigated the situation and got rid of the mice.

Mice Removal Requires a Home Assessment

Skedaddle received a call from homeowners asking how to get rid of mice under the front step of their home. When James arrived on the scene, he was surprised to discover that the mice had found their way between the structure’s pillars and bricks and created a cozy nest there. The mice had clearly been using the location for some time because it was full of nesting materials and stored food.

James’s next step was to look for other evidence of mice throughout the property. Because mice are such tiny animals, it sometimes takes the eye of a professional to spot the minute clues they leave behind. We train our technicians to see signs as subtle as greasy smudges along walls and bits of shredded insulation.

James then conducted a thorough home and property assessment. A mouse can squeeze into holes the size of a dime, including the following openings:

• Weep vents
• Gaps between building materials
• Holes made for wires and pipes
• Window and door frames
• Roof vents

Identifying places mice can enter a home is the most important step if clients are serious about permanent mice removal.

Mice Nest in Unexpected Locations

Under a front step was a unique location for a Skedaddle technician to observe a mouse nest. But upon further inspection, it was obvious why the rodents had chosen this spot. Besides being a warm and dry location to raise their young, it also provided close access to the inside of the home. The clever mice were able to run inside the house, gather what they needed, and run back to the nest, all without the human family noticing them.

With the mice in this Ottawa home living mostly outside, the family did not smell any unpleasant odours or hear any scurrying sounds. They had no idea that a family of mice was coming and going and taking as much food from their kitchen as they pleased. This situation illustrates how mice can nest anywhere on a property, not just in places you expect them to be.

The Outside Is Just as Important as the Inside

Most homeowners go to great lengths to deter mice and other critters by keeping their homes swept and tidy. However, they often forget that the outside of their houses can attract wild animals even more than the inside does. This is because the lawn and exterior structure of the home is the first thing mice come into contact with when they enter your property.

Piles of leaves, compost bins, and fallen fruits and vegetables can all attract mice to your yard. Once there, mice will take shelter in any vulnerable areas around the foundation of your home and eventually make their way inside. They might also move into structures such as hot tubs, sheds, and outdoor grills. Wildlife control in Ottawa requires maintaining outside areas of your property with the same care you use on the inside.

Skedaddle’s Exclusion Services Keep Mice Out

James cleaned the nest on the front step and installed exclusion materials to prevent the mice from getting back in. He then explained to the homeowners that mice removal would only be a short-term fix unless they took the necessary steps to wildlife-proof the outside of their home.

Skedaddle focuses on the prevention of wildlife encounters through exclusion. This means our friendly technicians will scour every centimetre of your home to find potential areas where mice could enter. They will then seal these openings, making it impossible for the smallest mouse to come in.

Trust Skedaddle for Mice Removal in Ottawa

Do-it-yourself methods such as mouse traps and poisons are ineffective at ending a rodent infestation. Even if you lower the population, more mice will enter your house the same way the first ones did. Mice reproduce rapidly, so it is only a matter of time before a mouse problem can get out of control.

Skedaddle works with homeowners like this family in Ottawa to find permanent solutions to their rodent problems. We are so confident that we can end your mouse problem for good that we offer a lifetime guarantee on the areas we service. Contact us today by phone for mice removal services and a thorough property inspection. Who knows where mice may be nesting in and around your home?