Mice Blocking: Recognising Mice Infestations
Mice infestations are widespread in the London area in residential homes
, offices and recreational establishments such as hotels and restaurants. Its important that you understand what you are dealing with, and how to get rid of them if they have taken up residence in your home or workplace.
In the UK, Mice are considered one of the most troublesome pests. They are very resilient creatures and thrive under many different conditions. They will eat anything, and live anywhere.
They can contaminate surfaces meant for food preparation with their faeces and urine, which carry the bacteria that causes food poisoning (salmonellosis). In addition, constant gnawing will damage not only your possessions but the structure of your property too.
You can identify whether you have a mice infestation by looking for droppings and fresh gnawings. Although they hide away, if you look thoroughly you may see a nest made from shredded paper or other fibrous material. In addition, they have a very distinctive musky odour that identifies their presence. Occasionally you might see them during the day.
So what exactly are you dealing with? Usually grey or brown in colour, they are small in size with relatively large ears and small eyes. An adult weighs about 1/2 ounce and is about 5 1/2 to 7 1/2 inches long, with a tail that measures approximately 3 to 4 inches.
Mice will look for cereal and grains, but will pretty much eat anything, nibbling different types of food that they will find. They have a good sense of taste, smell, hearing and touch. They can run up a vertical surface, run across very narrow cables, fit in holes around quarter of an inch in diameter (about the size of a pencil) and can jump up to 3 inches. They are like small gymnasts incredibly agile and with heightened senses. This can make them very difficult to track down.
Mice breed, well like mice! In one year alone, a female mouse will have up to ten litters of around six young. The gestation period is just three weeks and take only 10 weeks to fully mature. Mice live for approximately one year.
So, how do you prevent mice and treat an infestation if you have one? Preventative measures include thorough sanitation and mouse proofing. If you already have an infestation, population control is a necessary part of the process. This will involve trapping and poisoning.
The most successful and effective form of mouse control and future proofing is to build them out, blocking all openings through which they can enter a building. This is difficult given that they can get through tiny spaces that can be missed when mouse proofing yourself. All places where food is stored need to be proofed also, by using glass jars or resealable airtight containers.
Mouse blocking can involve steel wool mixed with a chalking compound, and patching materials can also be used. Cracks and openings need to be sealed and doors and windows must be tightly fitted.
Trapping is an effective method also, but its important you use the right traps, dont use hazardous poisons that could be harmful to animals or children and you must dispose of mouse carcasses safely.
There are several other methods, but its important that you seek an expert for advice. Many homeowners use sound and electronic devices, which frighten the mice. Although these can work, the mice can become quickly accustomed to repeated sounds after all they frequently infest factories and farms that are noisy and busy. People also use cats and other predators, however pets can actually attract mice with their food and water that
by: Akeel Jaffar
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