Mice are small and nimble. They can fit through opening the width of a pencil. Also, the animal is persistent and relatively inventive, meaning it is capable of finding its way into your home in ways you never imagined possible. Specialists in mice control in Cambridge explain that hoards and mice infestations often occur in a house’s crawlspace — the narrow and often unfinished space between the ground and first floor of a property.
Understanding Why Mice Love Your Crawlspace
Mice require three things to survive: food, water, and shelter. Unfortunately for homeowners, a crawlspace can satisfy all the animal’s needs.
Wild mice typically live off of grains and grass, but some species also eat various insects. Your crawlspace can represent a buffet of invertebrates.
Also, the crawlspace often becomes humid, resulting in condensation. Mice do not need a lot of water to survive — three to nine milliliters per day. However, if water is unavailable, a mouse can survive for about a month without it.
Finally, the primary reason mice choose your crawlspace is for shelter. A crawlspace provides ample protection from predators and adverse weather conditions. In the winter months, the crawlspace may also stay warmer than the exterior area.
Identifying a Rodent Problem
Before you learn how to get rid of rodents, you must learn how to identify an infestation. Believe it or not, mouse sightings are not the first sign of an infestation. Mice are nocturnal and very good at hiding. By the time you see a mouse, you probably have a much larger problem. According to experts, some of the obvious signs of a rodent infestation include:
- Holes chewed in walls
- Piles of dirt and rodent excrement
- Foul odours
- Signs of tunneling
- Scratching or scurrying noises
- Chew marks in ducts or wiring
- Disturbed wiring or insulation
Preventing Rodent Infestations
As a homeowner, you can reduce the risks of a rodent infestation on your property. Through maintenance and diligence, you can maintain the cleanliness and security of your property. Rodent Removal services recommend all homeowners focus on three tasks for rodent prevention.
1. Sealing Holes
Walk the exterior of your house and look for tiny cracks or holes in the foundation or walls. You want to seal these openings with caulk or another appropriate sealant. However, if you believe you already have an infestation, do not seal these spaces. Sealing all openings may trap the rodents in your crawlspace, resulting in death.
2. Minimizing Moisture
Reducing the level of humidity and moisture in the crawlspace and also eliminating any water source for the mice is crucial. Installing insulation, a dehumidifier, a fan, or a floor covering are all potential moisture solutions. You can also hire a professional to assess any drainage issues in the crawlspace.
3. Removing Food Sources
Mice might eat bugs in your crawlspace, but they may also bring food back to the area for storage. If you can find a way to eliminate the animal’s food source, you are another step toward making your house mouse-free.
Installing a crawlspace covering can limit the number of bugs. Also, hiring a service to clean the space once or twice a year can make potential residents feel less safe, encouraging them to move.
Hiring Professional Services
If you have mice in your crawlspace, there is only one way to resolve it: contact a rodent removal service. A professional service works with qualified technicians who have the appropriate equipment and know-how to effectively address the situation.
Do you believe mice are living in your crawlspace? Contact Truly Nolen Canada in Cambridge and schedule a property inspection and service estimate. The company will send a team to inspect the crawlspace and other areas of the property before presenting an estimate and potential resolution.