subject: Quick Pest Control Action Essential To Control For Mouse Infestations [print this page] A mouse infestation can happen in any Missouri structure and become a large problem quickly. These otherwise cute little creatures that are so amusingly and famously featured in cartoons can become a seriously destructive and health-threatening force if not dealt with as soon as the first signs of a mouse presence are recognized. In fact, the house mouse, Mus musculus, is included among the most economically problematic pests in the United States, thus keeping MO pest control operators constantly on call. Mice can be especially prevalent in highly populated areas such as St. Louis since they thrive on human and pet foods.
The Signs of Mouse Infestations
In St. Louis, exterminators look for tell-tale signs of a mouse infestation in several ways in order to successfully treat the structure. One obvious sign is the droppings that mice leave in every location they frequent. When fresh, the droppings are dark in color and soft, growing hard and brittle as they dry. Though very similar in size and shape to roach feces, mouse droppings can be distinguished between roach droppings by close examination. Mouse droppings are smooth while roach droppings have characteristic ridge markings. Black light examination of an area can reveal urine that is also abundantly left behind.
Mice are prolific gnawers. One of the characteristics of rodents is their long front teeth that grow continuously throughout their lives. The teeth are kept at an optimum length through gnawing. They can gnaw through a wall quickly and are particularly attracted to spaces around pipes where they can gain an easy tooth-hold. Rodents also seem to enjoy chewing on wiring which is a common cause of fires that start within walls and attics. Gnaw marks are a quickly recognizable sign of mouse presence. A gnawed hole in the baseboards through the wall will often be accompanied by a smudge mark along the baseboard that is left by the oil and dirt in their fur as they travel the same route over a period of time.
Mouse Control
Eliminating a mouse infestation is a two-step process. The existing population must be eliminated and the structure must be "mouse-proofed" to avoid a repeat infestation. Depending on the degree of infestation, a St. Louis pest control service may use traps or poisoned baits. Traps are usually a superior choice since they result in immediate kills and the carcasses can be collected and appropriately discarded. Poisoned baits are typically warfarin-based that take several days of consumption before the mice are killed and there is a high risk of them dying in the walls or other unreachable areas of the structure. Finding the mouse entry source to close it is essential for effective control as well as eliminating the food sources.
If you see a mouse or signs of a mouse in your home or office, call a MO pest control service immediately to avoid a much larger problem that will inevitably follow.
