Oshawa Wildlife Removal: Can Mice Contaminate Dog Food?

When mice make themselves at home in your house, the outcome can be disastrous. Not only do they eat through wires and insulation, but they often go through pantries, raiding food items and spoiling them for human consumption. But mice aren’t selective in the food they contaminate. Many people forget about securing pet food when they are dealing with a mouse in the house. Mice can also contaminate dog food, potentially making your pup unwell. Learn the dangers and identify the signs of contaminated pet food, then find out who to contact if you need mice control in Oshawa. 

Sneaky Snack Bandits 

Mice are clever little animals. To their credit, they will go to great lengths to sneak a snack to ensure their needs are met. This is an excellent mechanism for their survival, but not so much for anything else. Mice have been known to squeeze in the tiniest holes to seek out food. If there is no hole, they can chew through a significant number of materials to reach their food destination. If mice find an area with a steady supply of unsecured food, they will return again and again. Worst of all, not all mouse contaminated food happens at home. Some pet food comes from the store already contaminated, either from the warehouse, shipping, or the actual store shelves. 

Tiny Trickster Contaminants 

Surely, if mice are returning to an area, again and again, homeowners will see them eventually, right? Not always. Mice know that they have to keep a low profile to keep the buffet open, and they adapt to the habits around the home. So you have to know what you are looking for: mice feces are about the size of a grain of rice and are dark-coloured. There are more signs of both the presence of mice and mouse contaminated pet food that homeowners can be on the lookout for regularly. 

• Presence of feces in hard to reach corners 
• Occasional scuttling or clicking in cabinets or drawers
• Pets respond to unseen catalyst 
• Damaged food packaging 
• Small dog food piles in other areas of the home
• Presence of feces in or around the pet food bag or bowl 
• Pet may refuse food or nudge behind food with nose 
• Musty smell in cabinets or storage areas

Disease Carrying Creepsters 

The presence of mice isn’t just unfortunate because you don’t want to share your home and your food. In addition to the danger of feces and urine-contaminated food, mice also carry many diseases that can harm humans and pets. Since mice defecate as the need arises to make room for more food, the chances are great that they will leave disease and bacteria-spreading feces in pet and human food alike. Since humans have a keener eye for food that looks suspicious, your furry friend is at the most significant risk for contaminated food if you do not keep a watchful eye. 

Rodent Prevention Please 

To prevent the presence of mice in the home, thereby preventing mouse-contaminated food, there are several manageable steps you can take on your own, or you can call Skedaddle for humane wildlife control. To help secure your home from mice, consider the following actions:

• Secure foods in hard resealable containers 
• Don’t leave dog food out for longer than feeding time 
• Store any leftovers sealed in the refrigerator 
• Check exterior of the home for holes and debris 
• Seal any holes and remove debris 
• Make sure the trash area is secured and clean 
• Clean up after man’s best friend does his business 
• Contact professional wildlife control for assessment 

If you notice any signs of unwanted, tiny-tailed dinner guests in your home, call Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control for mice control in Oshawa.