Are Dogs Good Deterrents Against Mice?
Mice are skittish. They may be scared by dogs, but eventually, the mice will learn how to avoid most dogs. Scientists have even studied whether dogs can prevent a mice infestation. Dogs and cats may reduce pest activity in your home, but the mice will set up home and continue to repopulate. Most dogs won’t catch and kill mice, which gives the mice an advantage.What About Dogs That Are Bred For Rodent Control?
Some smaller breeds of dogs were actually bred to keep mice and rats away from crops and livestock. Dachshunds, papillons and terriers are hunters, but small enough to chase mice under furniture and in small crevices. However, these breeds don’t have the same predatory instincts they had in the past. Your dog won’t be able to keep up with the number of mice that can be in your home in just a few weeks. Learn how to keep mice away and out of your home.Signs You Have a Mouse Infestation
One thing your dog can do is to alert you that you do have mice in your home. Your dog may hear scratching inside the walls before you do. If your dog is whining near the wall, it may be alerting you to pests. Some dogs, like cats, may kill one mouse and bring it to you. This is definitely a sign that you have other mice. You’ll want to look for other signs:- Stale smells in the cabinets or in closets.
- Chewed up packages of food in your pantry.
- Rodent droppings under the sink or in drawers.
- Holes near the baseboards.
- Nesting materials in one area, such as shredded paper or pieces of chewed fabric.
- The smell of decaying mice.