Hear that? A little scratch here, a little squeak there. That little sound could be a big problem. It could be mice in the walls. But how? But why? But what can you do? Read on to find out.

Are There Mice in the Walls?

When the weather turns harsh, small pests seek shelter anywhere they can. One of these coveted destinations could be the warm, insulated areas of your home, including between the walls. Under the right circumstances, these areas provide cover from the cold and wet and easy access to food sources.

Some of the most common signs a mouse is inhabiting your house include:

1. Squeaking or scurrying. Mice are more active at night, so you could notice light gnawing or skittering in the walls and ceiling as the house gets quiet at bedtime.
2. Droppings. Tiny and slightly pointed specks could appear around food sources or access points.
3. Nests. Shredded pieces of paper, fabric, cardboard, and insulation could be where they’re spending time.
4. Gnaw marks in wood or drywall.
5. Odor. Whether from droppings or dead mice. Some could die naturally, get stuck in tight spots, or die from the methods you use to try and get rid of mice. It may be necessary to cut additional access points in the wall to remove these pests, so it’s best to enlist a professional to save yourself from cutting too many holes in the wall.

You may be able to gauge the extent of the infestation on the number of signs you see. Obviously, more droppings are a sign of more mice. It’s best to act at the first signs of damage before you have to deal with a larger problem.

How Did They Get in?

Mice are small, but they can squeeze through even smaller areas. Any crack in the windows, walls, ceiling or foundation could allow access. They’re also great at climbing and jumping, which makes them excellent at scaling walls and navigating behind them.

One of the keys to preventing mice in walls is by eliminating their access points. Focus on sealing any gaps and cracks in the following areas:

• Utility pipe and wire openings.
• Cracks in siding and foundations
• Air ducts
• Roof vents
• Chimney pipes
• Windows and doors

Regularly inspect attics, basements, garages, sheds, and crawl spaces for signs of damage and hopefully stop an infestation before it progresses. Not only will mice make a mess of your home, but they also carry disease, chew electrical wires, and can cause structural damage.

Rodent Removal

Once a mouse is in your house there are several ways of removing them. There are a variety of traps available that will either humanely catch a mouse or instantly kill it. You’ll want to check these traps regularly and quickly remove any successful ones.

Use extreme caution when using any poisons, especially if you have children and animals. Also be aware that a mouse may end up dying behind the wall when you use this method, which makes it harder to remove them.

One of the most efficient ways of removing rodents is by contacting a pest control company. If you suspect mice are living in your walls, a pro will know the best way to go about getting them out without doing extensive damage to your walls. Once removed, a professional company can also help seal the areas a pest may have entered through.

Keeping Mice Out of Walls

Whether you’ve already dealt with an infestation or you’re trying to prevent one in the first place, there are several ways of helping to ensure pests stay out of your home.

1. Trim plants. Keep trees and shrubs trimmed to help eliminate hiding spots and jumping-off points in and around your home.
2. Seal any potential access points. Use a durable material, like wire mesh, that won’t easily degrade or allow pests to chew through it.
3. Eliminate food and water sources. Sweep crumbs, clean up spills, store food in air-tight containers, and fix leaks.

The less desirable you make your house to pests, the more desirable it will be for you. You don’t have to wait to hear the sound of squeaking or scurrying. If you want to be more proactive with your pest control, contact Cardinal Pest for a consultation.