5 Ways to Prevent Mouse Infestations in Austin

Mickey Mouse, Mighty Mouse, and Jerry might be cute, but mouse infestations aren’t. They can cause property damage and serious health concerns. Homeowners in the Austin, Dripping Springs, Round Rock, and Buda/Kyle areas are no strangers to rodent infestations. These homes are among the estimated 21 million residences a year infested with mice. As a preventative pest control company, BrockStar Pest Services can make sure your home isn’t among them. From sealing up exterior holes to keeping a clean home, here are five ways to prevent mouse infestations in Austin.

How Homes Get Mouse Infestations in Austin

Even if you haven’t seen a fuzzy, rodent roommate, your home may still have mice. Here are other signs to look for:

1. Rodent droppings

You may notice them particularly around food packages, in drawers or cupboards, or under the sink. Mouse droppings look a bit like a grain of rice — they are approximately that size and have pointed ends — however, they are blackish brown or gray.

2. Nesting material

Mice use shredded paper, fabric, and/or dried plant matter for nesting. If you see piles or accumulations of these materials, you may have a rodent infestation.

3. Signs of chewing on food packaging

Mice have voracious appetites, and they’re constantly in search of food. Though cartoons will lead you to believe they only crave cheese, these carbohydrate-loving omnivores love grains, too. They can contaminate food when they chew through packaging in search of their next snack.

4. Holes in walls and floors

These holes create entry points into your home and could be signs you have new roommates.

5. Noises

Mice make squeaking noises in their nests. They also make noise as they run around. Because their activity increases after dark, evening is the most likely time you’ll hear them.

Health Problems Caused by Mouse Infestations

When mice move in, they can bring harmful viruses and bacteria with them. Rats and mice can spread more than 35 diseases. In some cases, they transmit diseases through bites. But it’s not always necessary to come into direct contact with wild rodents to become ill. Encountering their urine and droppings, or even breathing in dust contaminated with rodent urine and droppings can transmit diseases. Mice can transmit hantavirus, leptospirosis, and even plague. Because mice also can carry fleas, ticks, and mosquitos, their presence can usher in other pests, too. These dangerous pests can also spread illnesses to humans, such as Lyme disease.

How to Prevent Mouse Infestations in Austin

1. Seal up holes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mice can squeeze through a hole the size of a nickel. Even tiny crevasse on your home’s exterior may invite mice in — and interior holes inside will let them move about freely to access food and find safe places to hide. Sealing up these holes will keep mice from entering.

2. Remove temptations.

Eliminate mice’s food supply by storing food in rodent-tight containers. Dispose of waste they may be interested in eating and store the waste in containers with tight-fitting lids.

3. Eliminate nesting sites.

Piles of leaves and mulch are attractive nesting sites for mice. Removing this debris from your property can discourage mice from making their presence permanent. You should also cover or contain compost piles to keep mice out.

4. Trap mice.

Setting snap traps around your home can help control a small number of mice. Set traps in attics, basements, and other crawlspaces that don’t have regular human traffic. The CDC doesn’t recommend glue or live traps, which can scare mice causing them to urinate. Because their urine contains germs, these types of traps increase your exposure to disease.

5. Clean up.

Even if you’ve removed mice from your home, you’ll still need to clean up any evidence of mice to prevent transmitting diseases.

If these measures don’t work or if you already have a mouse infestation that’s grown out of control, you may need professional preventative pest control.

How BrockStar Pest Services Can Help

BrockStar has been keeping it local since 2012, so we’ve been there and seen that. We can create a comprehensive pest control plan to rid your home and yard of mice now and prevent future infestations. Call to schedule service, 512-800-0437.