When the weather starts to get colder and wetter, then mice start looking for shelter over the winter. Typically, garden sheds and garages make ideal nesting sites for mice as they are dry and a food source is usually nearby. If you see signs of mice in your shed or garage, such as chewed boxes or mouse droppings, then it is worth taking steps to get rid of the mice sooner rather than later.
Mice breed rapidly, and it usually only a matter of time before the mice move closer and living in your house. Initially, a mouse infestation in your house can go relatively unnoticed. However, if left unchecked, mice will start nesting in cupboards or wall cavities, and can then become a serious problem. If you hear noises at night, this is a typical sign of mouse activity.
Chewed wires, holes in food packets, mouse droppings in cupboards, are all signs of mice in your house. Setting mouse traps yourself will catch some mice, however it’s unlikely to exterminate the mice completely, and will take time. The quickest and easiest way to get rid of mice, is to use a pest control company with a robust mouse pest control program.
A good pest control company will only charge you for the number of visits you actually need. Mouse infestations are generally exterminated within two visits. The first mouse pest control visit will be to establish the extent of the mouse problem and confirm where they are nesting and living. An experienced pest controller should also be able to tell how the mice are getting into the house, and recommend steps you can take to stop the mice getting in.
Usually, no mouse proofing or prevention is done on visit one. Mouse proofing while mice are still living in the house could trap live mice inside which can be more distressing. Instead your pest control company should start a mouse pest control program straight away, generally using a licensed rodent bait or rodenticide. If you have any concerns about pest control being safe for pets or family members, talk with your pest control technician as they should be trained in safe use of rodenticides.
The mouse pest control program will generally take a few days, so once any rodent bait is set, this will be left for the mice to eat, which will be the end of the mice. Rodent pest control is always a minimum of two visits, so your pest control company will return around 7 days later, to confirm the mouse infestation has finished. If they find signs of live mice, then a third visit will be needed, and ideally your pest control company with offer additional visits at a lower rate.
