Many people are afraid of mice. Sometimes we jump up onto the table or bed, clutch our pearls, and stomp and shriek until someone takes care of it. (It’s even worse when there’s a lazy cat nearby that doesn’t care!) This cartoonish image may be all-too-real, but a much more serious concern is the mice you don’t see: the ones in your attic. They will cause serious damage to your roof and attic floor, reproduce quickly, spread disease, and chew wires. If you are already hearing and seeing tell-tale signs such as scratching above your ceiling and mice droppings in discreet areas, it’s probably a good idea to hire a professional mice removal company. 

Damage to Your Roof and Other Areas 

Mice are notorious chewers, and not just on cheese. One bizarre and unsettling truth about mice is that their teeth never stop growing. This means that they have to keep chewing in order to file their teeth down. Each time they chew, their teeth get sharper. A mouse’s jaws are surprisingly strong and resilient for their size, able to plow through drywall, beams, and hardwood. This creates a significant structural risk for the upper level of your home. 

Infestations Grow Quickly

Mice can have babies as earlier as one month old, and from that point on, they can have babies anywhere from five to ten times a year. Multiple mice will be born within each litter, and by the time each female mouse from the litter is just one month old, they can begin having babies too. This means that the longer you ignore those scratching sounds in the ceiling, the number of mice in your house could be in the dozens by the time you finally take care of them. Do not delay! It will be much more expensive and time-consuming if you wait. 

Mice Spread Disease and Bacteria

Mice are wild animals, and they usually live outdoors. This exposes them to numerous toxins and bacteria which they then bring inside your home. Hantavirus, for example, is transmitted by mice and causes a human infection similar to the flu, causing muscle aches and pain, headaches, and vertigo. If Hantavirus is left untreated it can advance into Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) which attacks the lungs. A mouse does not have to bite you to give you the virus. All that has to happen is for you to come into contact with mice droppings or urine. Their urine is especially difficult to notice and remove, and you’re likely to get it on your skin without knowing it.

Chewed Wires Can Cause a Serious Fire

Perhaps the greatest risk that mice pose is chewing through wires and causing an electrical fire. Fire marshals and insurance adjusters who assess fire damage may conclude that the fire was started by unknown causes, but a chewed wire is a likely culprit in these cases. When a wire is chewed through, it creates a gap between the two ends of the chewed wire. The electricity still attempts to cross the gap, a scientific term called arcing. Any stray sparks that arc and land on dry wood or cardboard may ignite easily. 

Expert Mice Removal and Wildlife Control in Kitchener

Skedaddle Wildlife specializes in humane mice removal. It is never advised to attempt to catch a mouse with your own hands or to clean mouse droppings by yourself. Leave it to the experts. We will come to your property, assess and remove all mice entry points, clean and clear any contaminated material, and prevent future infestations. Contact us today for safe, efficient, and reliable mice removal.