How do mice get into houses when the weather starts turning colder? If you’re considering mice removal in Ottawa, the answer might surprise you: any mistakes or flaws in construction — even new construction — create opportunities for mice to get inside.
Fortunately, there are solutions to this common problem. Take a look at a specific case in which Skedaddle worked with homeowners to provide humane, effective pest control.
A Case Study of Mice Removal
Could a new build cause a mouse problem? Unfortunately, yes. It’s common for poor construction to leave cracks, gaps, and holes large enough for mice to squeeze through. Read through our case study that was directly caused by the recent addition of a deck on the home.
The Homeowners Suspect a Problem
The homeowners knew something was wrong when they spotted mouse droppings in their basement. At this point, they did not suspect their new deck to be the origin of the problem. They also were not aware of the multiple, tiny places that the mice were using to enter their home. These homeowners called Skedaddle and worked with Grant Kimmerer to determine how the mice were getting in.
Skedaddle Finds the Entry Points
Are you wondering how to find mice entry points? It can be difficult without the help of a professional. During the inspection, Grant Kimmerer took pictures for our homeowners to explain the detailed findings, such as the following:
- The deck was brand-new and not deteriorating in any way. When construction is done on the home, next to important areas like the exterior wall and foundation, it can create the perfect conditions for a mouse infestation. It’s helpful to understand that mice can squeeze through spaces the size of a quarter or smaller.
- The mice had entered through the foundation line under the deck. This made it nearly impossible for the homeowners to realize the extent of the problem before they called for mice removal.
The Homeowners and Skedaddle Plan an Exclusion
The homeowners looked over Grant Kimmerer’s detailed notes and pictures of their home. They also learned that many of Ottawa’s residential communities have mature tree populations. While this fact seems unrelated to a mouse problem, it’s actually not: Mice tend to build dens in these trees and stay close (perhaps in your backyard) to where they gather food.
Due to factors such as the tree cover, the faults in the new deck, and the fact that mice reproduce quickly, it was necessary to act fast. Our homeowners decided, after reviewing Grant’s pictures and findings, that an exclusion would be their best bet for restoring their home.
How Does Skedaddle Perform Mice Removal in Ottawa?
One or two hidden entry points put your whole home at risk. Skedaddle takes the following steps to find these small doorways mice are using to infiltrate your living space:
Inspect the Residence
The first step to any exclusion process is to thoroughly inspect your home for live mice, mouse droppings, and potential cracks or holes in your home’s construction. Our technicians perform a thorough, inch-by-inch inspection of your home to pinpoint these spots. We’ll then present our findings to you and work with you to determine the next steps.
Mouse-Proof Your Home
Professional exclusion is a detailed process that includes sealing the entry points and addressing other concerns in an individualized manner. While poison and mouse traps can be effective in the short term, we’ve found that they’re often not the best long-term solution for mice removal.
Instead of laying traps, we may install one-way “doors” at the entry points that allow mice to leave but not come back. We’ll also pay special attention to spots that may become entry points for additional mice in the future.
Contact Skedaddle for Mice Removal Services
If you suspect a mouse infestation, it’s time to take the next steps to ensure a safer household for your family. At Skedaddle, we pride ourselves on working with our clients to find effective and humane solutions for mice removal in Ottawa and the surrounding areas.
Get in touch with us today to schedule your inspection and determine the extent of the problem. We look forward to working with you!
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