These rodents can cause both property damage and health risks if they establish themselves around your property. And for everyone you’ve seen, there are likely many more in hiding.
In this guide, you’ll discover why mice are such a problem and learn the best way to prevent and control their infestations.
What Do House Mice Look Like?
House mice are sometimes mistaken for rats, especially baby rats. However, there are some characteristics you can look at to tell them apart. Mice are a light brownish-grey color with cream underbellies, and they have thin, long tails while rats have shorter scalier ones. Mice also have larger eyes and ears in proportion to their bodies.
Can Mice Really Be That Dangerous?
While some people are scared of mice and others find them adorable, wild mice aren’t safe to have around your property regardless. Like all rodents, they have teeth that keep growing, so they must chew on things to grind their teeth down.
Over time, this means they can do a lot of damage to materials like electrical wires, furniture, plastic, clothing, drywall, and more. This means you can end up spending a lot of time, effort, and money fixing the damage that they cause.
The even more concerning issue with these mice, however, is that they are dangerous. They can spread illnesses like salmonella and tularemia, and they often play host to parasites like fleas and ticks. Fleas and ticks can spread even more illnesses, including Lyme disease and Bubonic plague.
And, lastly, mice can lead to respiratory problems, allergies, and asthma attacks, especially in people who have underlying medical conditions already.
What Makes Mice So Difficult To Keep Out?
Along with property damage and health concerns, mice are also one of the most challenging pests in Chicago to keep away for two main reasons. First, they can slip through holes the size of a dime and also chew their way inside. And second, they can reproduce quickly, so their numbers grow exponentially. In fact, a female mouse can have around 100 mouse pups each year.
Once they are inside, mice are also incredibly challenging to eradicate. Many products, like traps, will only get rid of some of the individuals, but they won’t remove the entire infestation. Other products, such as baits, can be dangerous to have around, especially if you have young children or pets in the home who might mistake the product for candy.
What Can You Do To Prevent Mice?
Because mice are an especially harmful pest and bring so many concerns to property owners, the best way to get peace of mind is through help from Aerex Pest Control. We have over 70 years of experience preventing and removing mice and other rodents in the Chicago area.
To find out more about our pest control plans and how to deal with mice infestations, give us a call today. We also offer free quotes.