Mouse Control in Portland: When to Contact an Exterminator

A common problem that a lot of Portland homeowners face is handling mice infesting their living space. Mice are not just a nuisance. They can spread the diseases they carry in your household. As these rodents leave behind droppings and urine wherever they go, your home is at risk of serious contamination. There are many reasons you will never want to have mice in your house. If mice are currently infesting your home, an exterminator in Portland can help you eliminate them for good. 

Entry Point Identification

Mice can get into your home through tiny cracks and gaps. These resourceful creatures can enter houses through unexpected places such as the following:

• Electrical conduits. Mice can enter your house by gnawing through insulation around your home’s electrical wiring. 
• Chimneys. Damaged or uncapped chimneys can be perfect entry points for mice. 
• Plumbing. Mice can access your house through gaps around plumbing fixtures and pipes. 
• Vents and ducts. Damaged or unsealed ducts and vents can be perfect access points for mice.
• Garage doors. Mice can enter your home through gaps around damaged weatherstripping or garage doors. 
• Crawl spaces. Openings in the foundation allow mice to make their way into your crawl space. 
• Appliance openings. Mice can exploit gaps around utility entrances like water or gas lines that lead into your house.
• Hollow walls. Rodents like mice can travel through walls using gaps around conduits and pipes. 
• Damaged screens. Leaving doors and windows with damaged screens gives mice easy access to your house.

Mice can fit through a small gap or hole. Given the malleability of their skulls, mice can compress their bodies to squeeze through tiny spaces. 

Why are Mice Dangerous?

House mice pose a serious risk to your property and health. They damage your home’s structures by gnawing on insulation and wires and spreading diseases. They tend to reproduce quickly, so a minor infestation can quickly become a full-blown infestation in no time. 

How to Prevent Mice from Infesting Your House

Prevention is crucial when handling mice. Here are proactive measures you can take to keep them out of your home:

• Store food items in airtight containers.
• Keep bird seed and pet food in mouse-proof containers. Seal entry points with weatherstripping or caulk. 
• Make sure doors are installed with tight-fitting sweeps to get rid of bottom gaps. 
• Keep vegetation trimmed as mice can hide in overgrown plants. 
• Store firewood away from your home and elevate it since mice can use it as shelter. 

Implementing these tips can minimize the risk of a mouse infestation. it is also important to schedule regular pest infestations, particularly if your area has a history of mouse issues. 

If you are currently dealing with a mouse issue, proactive mouse control measures must be taken. Pest control professionals can employ a combination of methods to eliminate mice from your home and prevent them from coming back. The specific elimination methods they will use depend on the seriousness of the infestation. Experts will tailor their treatment plan based on the unique circumstances involved.