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Mice

What do mice look like?

Adult mice grow to be about 5 ½ to 7 inches in length including their tail. Their round body is covered in gray, brown, or black fur with a lighter colored belly that is off-white or tan. They have large ears and a long tail – both are covered in a light layer of velvety fur. Their eyes are small, dark, and protruding.

a mouse chewing a power cord in a home in clemson south carolina

Are mice dangerous?

Yes, despite their small size and unassuming appearance, mice are a very dangerous pest to have invading your home. Mice can carry and transmit a variety of diseases and bacteria that can make you and your family quite ill; Salmonella, Leptospirosis, and Hantavirus are all commonly spread by mice. Mice can introduce parasitic pests like fleas, mites, and ticks into your home.  They are also dangerous to the structure of your home and any personal belongings that are stored inside.

Mouse damage

In order to keep their incisors at a manageable length, mice constantly chew. Unfortunately, in a home their chewing damages pipes, wires, insulation, drywall and other building materials. This type of damage can lead to house fires, and water damage. Mice also damage or destroy personal belongings like pictures, books, clothing and even furniture with their chewing and contaminate areas, belongings and food with their urine and feces.

Signs of mice

Mice leave behind several signs that they have decided to invade your home; common signs of a mouse infestation include:

  • Mouse dropping along the edges of floors, in cabinets, pantry areas, drawers, storage areas, and behind appliances. Mouse droppings are rice-like in shape, have tapered ends, and are black.
  • Gnaw marks on furniture, clothing, and food containers.
  • Musky odor which may be present in the case of a large infestation.
  • Noises at night behind walls and above ceilings.
  • Mouse nests in an undisturbed area of your home like behind a large appliance, in the basement between boxes, or in the corner of a closet. Mice nests are generally completely round and made of materials that have been gathered from around your home.

Mice vs. rats

Rats are not big mice and mice are not small rats; they are two completely different species of rodents. Being able to distinguish between the two is important so that the right treatment for the right species is being sought.

There is an obvious size difference – adult rats are both longer and much heavier than adult mice. Other differences between the two species include: 

  • A mouse’s tail is thin and covered in hair, a rat’s tail is hairless and scaly.
  • A mouse has a pointed nose, while the rat’s nose is blunt.
  • Mice produce more droppings per day than rats do.
  • While you can’t always tell where mice travel, rats will leave grease marks along walls and other objects that they travel along.   

How do you get rid of mice?

Getting rid of a mouse infestation is not an easy process; mice will hide throughout your home, evade traps that are not properly located, and new mice will quickly re-enter if you don’t address how and why they’re coming in.   

The best way to get rid of mice is to contact Spencer Pest Services for professional rodent control. Our team has the experience and the tools to identify how mice are getting in, curb existing rodent activity and then seal off to entry points to prevent re-infestation.

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