If you’ve got a mice infestation, you may be wondering just how bad it is! In this article, not only will you learn about all the signs of a bad mouse infestation, but you’ll also learn what’s been attracting them and what you can do to get rid of them as well!
So keep reading to find out everything you want to know!
Signs Of A Bad Mouse Infestation
So if you have a mice infestation, here are all the different indicators to look for to figure out just how bad it really is!
You See Droppings Everywhere
If you notice that there are droppings everywhere around your home, then the infestation may be pretty bad. And the more droppings there are, the worse the infestation is going to be.
So if you’ve noticed you’re seeing an increase around your home in the amount of droppings there are, you should act quickly.
If you’re not sure what droppings look like, they’re similar to a grain of rice; however, they are a lot smaller. They’ll be roughly 3-6mm in size and black or dark brown in color.
You See Them Everywhere
The more often you see a mouse, the more likely it is that there’s more than one in your home. In fact, if you’re seeing more than two mice, the chances are you’re dealing with an infestation.
You See Them During The Day
Another sign that you’re dealing with a bad mouse infestation is when you see them during the daylight hours. If you notice mice during the day, it may be because they’re struggling to find food due to all the competition. Generally, mice are nocturnal, so daytime sighting is a sign of a serious problem.
You Hear Them A Lot
Sometimes you won’t hear mice, but you’ll definitely be able to hear them. And if you notice the sounds are coming from more than one location, then it’s much more likely to be a bad infestation.
You should take care to especially listen to them at night as this is when they’re most likely to be active.
Your Pets May Begin Acting Weird
Another sign that you’re dealing with a bad mouse infestation is that your pets will begin to start acting weird. They may hear the mice and go to investigate, spending a lot of time looking under things.
Dogs may even bark at the walls if they can hear the mice behind them.
There Are Holes Everywhere
Mice chew through everything, so the more holes there are, the more mice you’re dealing with. But it’s not just food containers you need to look for holes in. Walls, clothes, wires, and anything else a mouse can chew through, they will!
Food Packages Ruined
Continuing on, food packages are one of the prime places you can see how bad a mouse infestation is. Mice come into your house in search of food, and when they find it, they’ll do whatever they can to get to it.
Most food isn’t safe from mice. Even sealed packages will be chewed open by mice looking for food. And as a note, if you do find the food has been chewed by mice, the best thing you can do is just throw it away.
Look For Nests
You should also check around your home for nests, and the more nests you find, the worse the infestation is. However, remember, if you don’t find any nests, it doesn’t mean you don’t have a severe infestation, only that the mice have picked good spots.
Some common places where mice like to build nests are in places that are unused. Old drawers, boxes, suitcases, and anywhere that doesn’t get much attention is going to be a prime spot for mice.
There Are A Lot More Bad Odors
The more mice you have, the worse the odors around your home are going to smell. Not only does the smell of a mouse nest give off a musty scent, but their urine will also begin to smell bad.
And if mice start dying in your home, the smell is going to be disgusting. So if you’ve begun to notice a lot more of the bad smells mice cause around your home, then you’re dealing with a more severe infestation.
A Lot Of Tracks Around Your Home
Lastly, look for tracks and footprints around your home. The more you notice, the worse the infestation is going to be. Oftentimes the oil on a mouse’s feet is going to leave a mark on any area they go to frequently. Wood is particularly susceptible to this.
What Attracts Mice In The First Place?
Now you know that you have a bad mouse infestation, you may be wondering what’s been attracting them to your home in the first place.
Warmth
One thing that attracts mice to your home is warmth, especially during the colder months. Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do to make your home less unappealing to them on this front because it will also become a lot less appealing to you as well!
If you’re looking for mice in your home, check near areas that are often warm such as heaters.
Clutter
Mice will also stay in your home if there’s a lot of clutter. Not only is clutter going to provide extra insulation for mice, but it’s also going to provide them with safety as well. Whatever areas of your home are cluttered will make the perfect hiding place for mice!
Some of the most common places that attract mice include:
- Cluttered attics, garages, sheds, and basements.
- Drawers and cupboards that don’t get much use.
- Firewood
- Anywhere you’re storing lots of old clothes and anything else that will provide them with warmth.
- Anywhere with stacks of paper, boxes, etc.
Food
And, of course, mice are going to be extremely attracted to food as well. And because they’re herbivores, they’re not at all picky about what food they’ll eat.
They’ll eat any of the scraps that they find around your home, as well as any food in your home that hasn’t even been prepared yet!
In fact, mice only need to eat about 3-5 grams of food a day. When you compare that to the amount of food in your house, you can see why they’d love to stay in your house long term!
So when you’re trying to get rid of mice, you need to make sure you’re keeping all the food in your house well contained! And on top of this, you need to take extra care to remove all the leftover food and crumbs in your home as well!
Because even a few crumbs on the floor are going to be more than enough to feed a mouse for the day.
Any Openings In Your Home
Lastly, any openings into your home are going to attract mice as well. Just think, in your house is an abundance of warmth, shelter, and food, and the more openings there are to your home, the more enticing it will be to mice!
So make sure you’re closing all the doors and windows to your house as well as sealing any cracks or holes you come across as well!
How To Deal With A Bad Mouse Infestation
If you have a bad mouse infestation, then you need to deal with it pronto. After all, if left untreated, it could cause you and your family to become sick! So here are a few quick steps for dealing with a mouse infestation!
Call A Professional
If your house has a bad mouse infestation, then the best thing you can do is call a professional to deal with it! Not only will they be able to get rid of all the mice you’re dealing with. They’ll also figure out what was attracting them to your home in the first place and deal with it too!
Set Humane Traps
If you’re not ready to get a professional yet, then the next best thing you can do is set humane traps around your home. You should set them in areas that mice often visit to increase the chance of catching them.
The best thing to fill these traps with is peanut butter, but you can also use cheese and buttered popcorn as well!
And then, when you catch the mice, just release them a mile or more away from your home, so they can’t find their way back.
Get A Cat
Sometimes it’s best to just let nature take its course. So if you’ve been dealing with a mouse infestation for some time, why not get a cat? Not only will it liven up your house a bit, but it will also help deal with any of the mice in your home.
Try Essential Oils
There are so many different scents that mice hate, and fortunately, a lot of these come in the form of essential oils. So one great way to deal with mice is to saturate cotton balls in essential oils and place them in the area the most mouse activity is occurring.
Peppermint, citronella, eucalyptus, and lemon oil are all essential oils that mice hate!
Block And Seal Cracks Yourself
If you notice there are cracks or holes in your home, you can also try sealing them yourself. If you can’t seal them, then you can also try filling them up with steel wool. This is going to make it impossible for mice to get through. They won’t even be able to chew their way through.
And for a real quick fix, you can even block entry points with duct tape to make it harder for mice to get through too!
Hot Pepper Solution
Lastly, you can try a hot pepper solution to repel mice, as they’re going to absolutely hate the smell. The simplest way to do this is to leave small piles of black pepper in areas that mice frequent; however, you can also make a solution from hot pepper and water and leave it anywhere mice frequent too!
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions that people have about bad mouse infestations.
How Long Does It Take To Get Rid Of An Infestation Of Mice?
Generally, if you’re dealing with a bad mouse infestation, it can take anywhere between 1-3 months to get rid of the mice completely, and that’s with professional help!
Recap
As you can see, there are a lot of signs that will let you know when a mouse infestation is getting bad. And if you’re dealing with a particularly bad infestation, the best thing you can do is call a professional!
If you liked this article, make sure you check out the rest of the website! Otherwise, have a great day!
