Mice

Mice are the most prevalent rodent on the planet. Two of the most common here in the Pacific Northwest being house mice and deer mice. Though the nature of mice is to live outside they are drawn to warmth and will inhabit the walls, storage spaces, attics and crawl spaces of your home; seeking dry shelter where they can find food and water sources. They have the ability to squeeze through holes the size of a dime allowing them to easily enter your home, build nests and forage. They will settle for almost any food source including dog food, oats, grains and even dried ornamental fruits found in common household decor. Because they can retain water from their food sources foraging for food is their main objective.

Signs of Mice

Although the natural habitat for mice is outdoors, they seek warmth and will come inside your home for shelter. Mice prefer quiet places such as attics, garages, basements, crawl spaces and the interior of walls. Some common signs to look for if you expect an infestation of mice are:

• Mice Droppings – often found along walls, in cupboards and under sinks they are typically brown to black in color and the size and shape of a grain of rice
• Urine patches and/or odors – patches of urine follow marked trails where mice run or distinctive ammonia like smells in enclosed spaces are tell tale signs of mice
• Damage to furniture, wiring or food storage
• Unusual noises – scratching, squeaking or gnawing noises coming from walls or ceilings
• Nests – often made of shredded materials such as newspaper or fabric in low traffic or less visible areas

It’s important to note that there are different types of mice. Where most mice found insides home are common house mice, deer mice are also pests that can infest property structures such as barns, sheds and larger storage spaces. Along with the usual signs of mice, these mice like to stow away beneath wood piles and spaces similar to underground cavities where they are commonly found in nature.

Concerns for Mice

Mice pose an extreme health risk to humans. House mice in particular can spread Salmonella in addition to as many as 200 other human pathogens, therefore posing an immediate threat to humans and pets in your home. Deer mice can carry the Hantavirus strain, Sin Nombre, or SNV, a cardio-pulmonary respiratory disease that manifests in flu-like symptoms such as fever, coughs, body aches, headaches and an acute lack of energy. Characterized by a sudden onset of shortness of breath with rapidly evolving pulmonary edema, Hantavirus can prove fatal despite mechanical ventilation and intervention with potent diuretics. This disease is most commonly spread through contact with mice urine, their feces or dust from contaminated nests.

Along with the Hantavirus, deer mice are also primary carriers of Lyme disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks. Symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue and a skin rash. If left untreated, Lyme disease can spread to joints, the heart and the central nervous system. Mice infestations not only breed disease themselves but pose a scary probability of carrier diseases such as through ticks compounding the risks on humans and pets.  

Mice Control Solutions

We set out to identify the source of any mice infestation so that all mice inside and outside can be eliminated  using our 5 step S.M.A.R.T. Process:

Through our S.M.A.R.T. process we determine all entry points, secure them from mice entering in the future and dispose of all dead rodents and contaminated debris. Once we are confident that your home has been safely cleared and secured we customize a plan, tailored specifically to your needs, to prevent any future infestations.

Our process encompasses the biology, anatomy, psychology and social systems of all rodents and wildlife; designed to help you understand the ‘why’ behind your infestation. We specialize in elimination,sanitation, prevention and routine maintenance of your home or office so you can be rest assured your home is protected from future infestations.

Mice Prevention

Our highly trained professionals don’t just come out to take care of the job. We take pride in  providing you with a well rounded understanding of your infestation. We determine why mice are attracted to your home so that we can pass along our knowledge to you; that you may be able to confidently apply preventative measures against future infestation.