The Arrival Of Fall Means More Mice Problems

Amid the cooling weather, and changing leaves, there’s mischief on the wind. No friends, we’re not speaking of Halloween, although that particular day does lend itself to tricks and mischievous antics; we’re talking about the increasing problem of a certain fall pest in Colorado and specifically mice. While we’re enjoying this time of year and the respite from the hot summer days, we’d be remiss if we did not issue a warning about these small yet destructive rodents and the likelihood of finding them in your home or trying to get in now that Autumn has arrived.

A briefing on rodent reproduction

If you’re thinking so what, a mouse in the house is nothing to panic about, you’re right… kind of. The trouble with that line of thinking is that there’s never just one mouse in a house (and really any number of mice can cause issues). That’s because mice are prolific breeders and a single mouse can produce as many as 10-12 pups each month! Imagine one impregnated female mouse breaching the exterior of your home, setting up her nursery in the attic insulation, visiting the kitchen for a snack, and then introducing up to a dozen babies to your home. Again, we remind you, that’s only one female. What if there were five, ten, more? While panic is not necessary, there’s certainly cause for alarm whether you have one or a dozen mice in residence.

Mice are more than a nuisance pest problem inside Colorado homes

Mice are not just nuisance pests; they pose a serious risk to health and property. Mice urine and droppings can trigger allergic reaction and asthma, contaminate food, and are a source for salmonellosis and Hantavirus. In recent years, there have been serious illness and fatalities in Colorado due to the plague transmitted by… you guessed it, mice.

Mice are chewers and it’s not necessarily by choice. You see, in order to keep their incisors at a manageable length, they must constantly gnaw. Unfortunately, when they use wires as chew toys, the risk of a housefire increases.  The next time you hear the phrase “fire of unknown origin”, think of mice (and rats too, in the interest of being fair). Mice also destroy other building materials with their chewing as well as their urine and droppings.

How to keep mice out of your home this fall

There are a few things you can do to try and keep mice out of your home this fall:

• Seal cracks and holes – especially where utilities and pipes enter your home
• Replace weather stripping around doors and windows
• Repair screens on doors and windows
• Store food in air tight containers as soon as you return from the grocery store
• Remove trash and garbage regularly
• Eliminate moisture from leaking pipes
• Remove or repair leaking HVAC units
• Ventilate attics, crawlspaces, and basements

Are these rodent prevention tips 100% full proof?

Although these tips will help make your home and grounds less appealing to shelter seeking mice, we cannot say with certainty that you’ll not have to worry about mice this fall or even into the winter.

Getting rid of mice that have infested your CO home

The best way to eliminate mice and prevent them from returning is to call a locally operated and fully licensed pest control company like, for instance, EnviroPest. With over 55 years of industry experience, we have the expertise that has been trusted by thousands of homeowners in Colorado. Our Colorado’s Choice Smart Service, an ongoing home pest control plan, is an affordable and highly effective way to eliminate and prevent mice infestations and to keep a myriad of insects at bay year-round.

For effective rodent and pest control in Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Loveland as well as throughout Northern Colorado, we are the ideal solution. Give us a call today to find out how we can help you avoid overwintering rodents this fall.

This blog was originally published 10/13/15. It has been updated to reflect the most up to date information.