As a home or business owner in Milwaukee, there is a growing concern that you may not fully be aware of. Since the pandemic, many areas have seen an increase in mouse infestations, and with many people being unaware of the health risks associated with these infestations, they are putting themselves, their family members and/or employees at risk. 

As innocent as these small creatures might seem, allowing them to dwell in your space can present considerable threats to your health and quality of life. We’re here to help you come to terms with these dangers and implement practical, effective strategies to bid these creatures a polite, but firm, adieu. 

To protect you, your family, or your employees, it’s essential to turn to professionals with the correct training and equipment. We at Skedaddle pride ourselves on initiating humane wildlife control measures, prioritizing the safety of both our clients and the animals we handle. In the following sections of this guide, we will delve deeper into the risk factors and preventative steps needed to safeguard your premises from mouse infestations.

The Health Risks Associated With A Mouse Infestation

Mice droppings and urine can present dangerous hazards to human health. If an infestation is left unchecked, it can aggravate allergies and intensify respiratory issues, drastically affecting your quality of life. The allergens present in mice’ urine, feces, or even their dander can trigger allergic reactions, ranging from sneezing, itchy eyes, and skin rash, to more severe anaphylactic shock in hypersensitive individuals. 

Furthermore, continuous exposure to such allergens can result in chronic respiratory conditions, manifesting as persistent cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Asthmatic individuals, in particular, may experience exacerbated symptoms due to the allergenic compounds present in mice infestations. 

Adding to the severity of the matter, mice are vectors for dangerous diseases such as salmonella. When mice contaminate food, kitchen utensils, or surfaces with their feces or urine, they may unknowingly exposed humans to the salmonella bacteria, causing food poisoning symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. 

Additionally, mice can bring about the deadly hantavirus through inhalation of airborne particles from their dried droppings, urine, or nest materials. The hantavirus, while rare, can lead to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a severe respiratory disease with a fatality rate as high as 38%, exhibiting symptoms such as fatigue, fever, muscle aches, and in extreme cases, respiratory failure, emphasizing the critical need for effective and urgent mice control measures.

Prevention: The Foremost Strategy In Mice Control 

Preventing mice from entering your premises in the first place is a proactive and effective approach against an infestation. Let’s take a look at some of the most simple ways you can help keep mice out of your home or business. 

Clear Out Clutter

Clutter creates a perfect hideout for mice, offering them safe and cozy nooks to nest and breed and an assortment of materials to build with. By minimizing clutter, you’re taking away their comfort zones, making your home or business less inviting for these uninvited guests. 

So, clean up those stacks of boxes, clear off tabletops, and keep your floor spaces free from random items. Regularly decluttering and tidying up become your first line of defence against a mice infestation. Let’s remember prevention is better and more humane than cure. Start today, start now, and don’t let clutter make your space a haven for mice.

Keep Food Stored Properly 

Proper food storage is a crucial strategy in preventing a mice infestation, essentially cutting off one of their primary sources of attraction. Improperly stored food sends an open invitation to mice, providing them with an accessible and ample food source. Knowing how to store food correctly can save you a whole lot of trouble, and this involves more than just keeping your pantry tidy. 

Use tight-lidded containers made of heavy-duty material like glass or metal for storing dry food such as cereals and grains. Mice are able to chew through plastic and cardboard, effectively making them inadequate for storage purposes. Regularly clean your food storage areas to ensure no crumbs or spillages are left that might attract these unwelcome guests. 

Never leave food or dirty dishes out overnight, and ensure to keep your countertops, floors, and dining area free of crumbs and food spills. Waste disposal also plays a significant role; all food waste should be placed in a mice-proof trash bin with a tight lid that’s regularly emptied. 

Remember, every small action to safeguard your house counts. While it might seem a lot, once you’ve incorporated these strategies into your routine, you’ll find it becomes second nature. If consistently applied, these simple yet highly effective measures will go a long way in discouraging mice from setting up a residence in your home. 

Identify and Seal Entry Points

One vital strategy to keep mice at bay involves carefully identifying and sealing all potential entry points. With their small size and flexible bodies, mice can exploit even the smallest openings. It’s crucial to meticulously inspect your home or business premises with a keen eye for any gaps, cracks or holes that could serve as a gateway for these unwelcome guests. 

Give particular attention to areas such as attics, basements, and walls. These areas often hide openings that go unnoticed. Not just that, kitchens and pantries also need close inspection, given the attraction of food sources. Remember, a hole as small as a dime is ample for a mouse to gain access to your space! 

Once potential entry points are identified, the next essential step is effectively sealing these off. Sealants such as caulk, steel wool, or expanding foam insulation are typically effective for this purpose. However, this task requires precision and thoroughness; one missed spot can negate all your efforts. 

For businesses, this can pose additional challenges. Complex structures like commercial buildings have numerous entry points, often hidden in hard-to-reach locations. Incorrect sealing can also cause structural damage, leading to additional repair costs. In such cases, professional help is advised. 

How To Get Rid Of Mice: Why Trained Professionals Are Best Suited For Removal

You might ask, “Why advocate for trained professionals for mice removal?” It’s simple: mice infestations are not a novice’s job. The task requires comprehensive knowledge of mice behaviour, breeding patterns, and habitats, hence the importance of engaging trained professionals in the field. 

As a homeowner or business operator, embarking on a DIY mouse eradication might seem like a cost-saving maneuver. Yet, without the pertinent skills and experience, you risk exacerbating the problem at hand. Attempts to dislodge these unwanted visitors may lead to more scattered infestations – covert hiding zones that you might nonchalantly ignore due to a lack of expert insight. 

Ineffective mice removal gambits could potentially expose you and your loved ones or employees to health threats. As previously discussed, unattended mice droppings can infiltrate your indoor air, causing allergies, respiratory problems, and other health-related complications. As such, entrusting the task to those well-versed in the trade becomes indispensable. 

Here’s where we come in at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. Our trained professionals immerse themselves in updated and comprehensive training programs that equip them with advanced skills and techniques in mice control. Utilizing eco-friendly and humane procedures, our team of experts ensures each removal job is not only effectively executed but also safeguards the well-being of the mice and humans involved. 

We advocate for a holistic approach: not just eliminating the mice invasion but also diligently identifying and sealing off potential entry points to secure your premises from future infestations. Our professionals also decontaminate the affected areas post-removal, eliminating any traces of mice infestation to protect you from potential health hazards. 

While the allure of DIY mouse removal tactics might seem compelling, consider the invaluable benefits hiring trained professionals brings – the assurance of a thorough job, the relief from potential health risks, and the guarantee of preventing future infestation. We at Skedaddle are committed to delivering these benefits and much more in our quest to make your space mice-free. Please remember your health and well-being always remain our priority! 

Learn more about our services and how we can help with a mouse infestation by contacting us today!