A Few Facts About Field Mice
The term “field mouse” isn’t just used to describe one species of mouse, it is used to define a large range of mice including house mice, the most common home-invading rodent here in the states and around the world. Most species of field mice break into homes when survival demands them to, such as when the weather, temperature, or other outdoor conditions could be harmful to their health. To help you better understand the field mice trying to get into your Chicago home, here are two facts about these pests everyone in our area should know.
Field mice, like other rodents, have sharp and strong teeth. They use these teeth to gnaw through wood, plastic, vinyl, cinder block, and aluminum building materials around homes. As a general rule, if there is something in a field mouse’s way, it will try to chew through it.
Field mice are generally intelligent creatures; when studied, adaptive behaviors and learned habits are commonly seen with these pests. One example of this is with rodent traps. When observed, mice learn to recognize the danger traps pose and will either start avoiding them or find ways to steal their bait without triggering them.
The Problems Field Mice Cause
Field mice are by no means beneficial creatures, and especially not to humans. These filthy rodents cause trouble around homes in many ways. For starters, field mice carry and transmit disease; some common contagions they spread include salmonellosis, hantavirus, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis. If this wasn’t enough, field mice also transport fleas and ticks into homes. These smaller parasitic pests are problematic in their own ways, specifically, in that they also spread disease.
On top of the danger field mice pose to humans, these pests also threaten property value when they come indoors. Using their sharp teeth, these pests chew holes through walls, siding, boxes of food, furniture legs, decorative fixtures, electrical wires, utility piping, and just about anything they can. In addition to this, filed mice also tear up insulation, fabrics, paper, and books to gather materials to build their nests with.
7 Prevention Tips For Field Mice
- Seal entry points found in your home’s exterior using a caulk gun and some steel wool.
- Repair damage to door screens and door sweeps.
- Keep unscreened doors and windows closed as much as possible.
- Invest in tight-fitting, rodent-proof lids for your trash cans.
- Store leftover foods away inside airtight containers.
- Fix leaky piping and fixtures around your home.
- Thoroughly clean your home at least once a week.
One Amazing Bonus Tip To Handling Field Mice
If you are looking for a guaranteed way to keep field mice out of your home or are looking for a way to solve a current infestation, get the experts at Aerex Pest Control involved. All it takes is one phone call for us to find you a service plan that fits your budget and rodent control needs.