As a homeowner, there are a lot of responsibilities you need to stay on top of to keep your humble abode safe. When winter comes around, there is a common enemy many people must face: mice. Mice can give some people a real fright, while their size and a potential infestation don’t intimidate others. Either way, it’s important to know the dangers of having mice in your home.
Diseases
The biggest danger of having mice in your home is they lead to sickness. There are numerous diseases that mice can, directly and indirectly, transmit to you. Some diseases are worse than others, but the point is your health is at risk if you have a mice infestation. The most common diseases from mice that you should worry about include:
- Hantavirus
- Lymphocytic
- Salmonellosis
- Plague
- Tularemia
Damage
Mice might be small, but they can cause a lot of damage to your home. Some destruction that mice inflict on your home includes:
- Chewed up wiring that can cause a fire—mice need to nibble on wiring when their teeth grow in
- Damage to your home’s insulation
- Chewed up packaging so they can make nests
- Spoiled food
Signs of Mice
To not obtain these diseases or suffer from the damage, recognize the common signs that point toward the presence of mice in your home. The easiest way to tell is if you spot little black mice droppings. There may also be scratching sounds from within your walls, grease marks, foul odor, and nests. Be sure you take care of a mice problem before it becomes an infestation. Cleaning up after yourself, sealing up cracks, and putting food away are effective methods to prevent a mice infestation. If the problem persists, then we recommend you employ a professional extermination service to properly dispose of them.
