Mice are docile and quiet creatures, but can cause havoc in your home. And while not necessarily very common, they can carry a number of different diseases that can be harmful to humans, for example Salmonellosis, Hantavirus, Pinworms, Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis, and many more. Additionally, they are known to chew electrical wires that can cause house fires. Despite these truths, there are still many misconceptions about these rodents.
Myth 1: Cheese is the best bait for mice
Mice eat cheese and a variety of other foods, including meat. However, cheese is not necessarily the best lure for mice. Mice are opportunistic feeders whose favorite foods include chocolate and peanut butter. A study conducted by the BBC showed that mice do not like rich smelling cheese. Mice prefer high sugar foods like cereal, dried fruits, and even meat such as pet foods and smaller insects. When it comes to their favorite meals, it would probably be rare for cheese to be on any mouse's top 5 lists.
Myth 2: Mice cannot reach places far off the ground
If this were true, it would be easier to control pests. Mice can climb pipes and walls to get to places that humans cannot reach. Mice only require a ¼ of an inch hole to slip through. This means sealing tiny holes in your gutters, garage, shed or any other small gaps around your home or business that mice could easily sneak through if they wish.
Myth 3: Mice are harmless
Mice may appear cute and are sometimes adored in popular culture, but you should never ignore a mouse in your home. As mentioned, mice can cause severe health risks and carry a range of diseases, some of which are dangerous. If you do not control a mouse infestation, it can pose a threat. Mice are not aggressive, but their feces, urine, and general presence are a potential health risk in your home.
Myth 4: A cat will rid your house of a mouse infestation
Cats are definitely prolific mouse killers (rats not so much). They dispatch a large number of mice annually, but the story is different when it comes to an infestation. Despite how huge a cat's appetite is, it cannot eliminate a mice infestation on its own.
A mouse infestation needs to be approached from many different angles. One cat to remove tens, if not hundreds, of mice is not an optimal strategy. Setting up self-resetting traps and preparing your home through rodent prevention are the best strategies to keep your home protected.
How to prevent infestation of mice
The easiest and most effective way is to prevent a mice infestation before it begins. Here are a few tips:- Keep pet and human food out of reach and sealed in plastic containers that mice can’t gnaw through
- Inspect all boxes from the garage for chewing or mice related activity like droppings, before bringing them inside
- Make sure you seal gaps that mice could enter your home through with steel wool or caulking
- Don’t leave your doors open at unnecessary times — It might be breezy but keeping your doors closed or using screens is preferable
As mentioned previously, protecting your home with a safe, non-toxic trap can help stop a mice infestation from being established in the first place. The trapping system does not use poison and is safe for your pets, family, and other animals in the area (excluding rats and mice).
The trapping system requires less effort to operate because it is automatic and self-resetting. These traps are also certified as a humane trapping method. This will ensure the mice infestation in your home is eliminated. Knowing the facts about mice will help you see the signs of infestation if you encounter them.