In cartoons, mice are often depicted as getting into the walls through large, perfectly cut arches. Unsurprisingly, this is far from reality. Instead, they are squeezing through tiny cracks and crevices to get in and around your home. Window frames are among their favourite points of entry. They are also one of our top priorities for any mice removal job at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control.
Why Windows?
To set up shop in your house, mice need a way to get in. Like other scavengers, mice are very opportunistic. They look for existing openings that they can squeeze through. As you may already know, mice are skilled climbers and contortionists, capable of fitting through holes the size of dimes. In other words, they will take advantage of cracks of any size and in any location.
Window frames are intended to help seal the space between the glass and the wall. However, they often are imperfectly placed, leaving small gaps behind them. On older homes, cracks and gaps can begin to appear due to aging. In some cases, windows have ventilation flaps. These can become easy access points for mice. Some of these flaps are protected by mesh, but mice may be able to chew through this. The same applies to weather stripping and other sealants.
Where Do They Go Next?
Once mice are inside your house, they may set up nests. They typically do this wherever activity is the lowest. Mice are skittish and want to stay out of reach of people and pets. Expect to find their homes in wall spaces, attics, under appliances, and inside insulation.
Each mouse creates a nest for living and raising its young. So, if you have had a mouse infestation for a while, you may have numerous nests scattered throughout your home. Mice will also explore your home looking for food and supplies for their nests. They do this primarily at night. Although, if you have a serious problem, they may emerge in the day when they think the coast is clear.
What Are the Signs of a Mouse Entry Point?
There are a few signs that mice are entering your home through gaps in your window frames. Inspect the exterior and interior sides of your windows looking for the following:
- Small bite marks
- Brown staining
- Urine smell
- Droppings
In particular, look at any sealants or mesh protecting holes that mice could be getting through. If this appears to be chewed, that is a strong indicator that you have these small rodents getting into your home. As part of our mice removal service, Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control will very carefully inspect your home to find these possible entry points. Finding and protecting all openings is an important step in keeping your home free from mice. We pay special attention to their most commonly used pathways.
What Should You Do?
If you have determined that your windows are an entry point for mice, you may be unsure what to do next. If you want to protect the openings to your home, consider installing mouse-proof mesh. This is an effective way to protect ventilation flaps and other necessary openings. It will let air flow through but keep mice out.
Steel wool is another effective material. While mice are able to gradually chew through this, it can be painful for them. Therefore, they will usually find somewhere else to go instead. Mice are tenacious and well-adapted to sneaking into homes. However, they are also smart enough to seek the path of least resistance.
Beyond protecting the openings against mice, it is also important to continue to inspect your home. Determined mice will either find other openings or create a path around your blockage. However, periodically checking openings for new signs of activity can help you to be proactive in preventing additional entry.
While there are many do-it-yourself solutions, none of them can compare to the results of knowledgeable and skilled professionals with advanced equipment and plenty of experience with rodent behaviour. The best thing you can do when you suspect mice are making their way inside is to call a professional pest control service.
How Skedaddle Manages a Mouse Problem
When you choose Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control for your mice removal services, we apply a three-step solution. Our focus is on long-term and reliable exclusion techniques:
- Assess and Remove: We begin by inspecting the property. We will find any entry points and signs of mouse activity. Additionally, we will humanely and strategically remove mice and their nests.
- Clear and Clean: Once the mice are removed to a new location, we will clean up any contaminated material. This includes their nest areas and droppings.
- Prevent and Protect: Finally, we will seal up your home. For mice, we typically use one-way doors. These let mice that may be still inside your home leave but prevents them from returning.
Schedule Mice Removal Services
Contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control today. We will help you take on your mouse infestation issues while cleaning up the chaos they leave behind.
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