Why Are There Mice In Your Kitchener Home During Spring?

When winter loosens its grip on Kitchener, your thoughts likely turn to spring, warmer weather and more opportunities to leave your home to go on outings. However, while you might be looking forward to getting out more often, the mice that share your home may not be so eager to venture out once spring arrives. At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Removal, we can help you with mice removal in Kitchener and offer some insight as to why these clever rodents may decide to make your home a full-time hideaway. 

Mice Do Not Hibernate 

During the cold winter months, many animals go into hibernation until warmer weather arrives. However, mice remain active all winter long and build nests, forage for and collect food and raise their families in your attic, crawl space or in the walls. They might even destroy your home's insulation to make comfy nests. When spring arrives, mice that have already made themselves comfortable inside your home are unlikely to leave, especially if they feel safe. 

Mice Stay Near Available Resources 

Mice are intelligent rodents and have amazing recall when it comes to finding food, water and a warm place to bed down. If your home offers all of these, then mice are not likely to leave, even when spring arrives. They will forage almost anywhere and collect food inside, including: 

• Pet kibble 
• Pantry items
• Leftovers on countertops and tables 

Mice have sharp teeth that allow them to gnaw their way into cereal boxes and other dry goods, where they usually leave behind urine and feces. While unpleasant, this is usually the simplest way to spot them and know that you need our help with mice removal in Kitchener. 

Mice Forage Indoors and Out

Mice are typically nocturnal and will create their own pathways within your home to venture outdoors to find food and water. They also transport any food they find back to the indoor nest, such as nuts, seeds and bits of any leftovers they might find. This helps them raise their litter, which they can produce every three weeks with adequate food and shelter, even in winter. When spring arrives, mice are likely to remain in the areas they find safe, such as your attic, or near areas where heat ducts offer warmth all season long.  One way to find mice nests is to move large appliances, such as your washer, dryer or refrigerator, as mice will often hide piles of food in these locations. Check your pantry for droppings and discoloured streaks along nearby walls because mice will leave oil residue behind from their fur as they travel. Avoid handling mice directly; they will bite when handled or cornered, and it is best to leave them to our rodent technicians. 

When To Call Us for Help

Mice removal is not a task for an average homeowner. While mice are small and not as dangerous as other rodents, they are messy and carry diseases such as hantavirus and tapeworm, along with fleas and ticks. Both disease and parasites can spread to other people in your home, as well as your pets, so calling us for experienced removal can keep you safe.  When our technicians arrive at your home, the first step they take is to inspect any areas where you suspect mice activity. Once the techs locate the nests, they will remove any live animals, including infant mice, and then work to clean away nesting material. If mice have used your home's insulation to make their homes, we can replace those damaged areas and ensure any nests inside your home's walls are cleared away. Finally, our technicians will find and seal up any entrance ways where mice enter and exit, making your home inaccessible.  When mice find your home hospitable, they are not likely to leave when spring arrives. Contact us today for help with evicting these unwanted rodent guests.