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October 20, 2022
We have mice in the walls and when we moved in there were multiple dead mice in the basement
Dead bodies in the basement, creatures crawling through the walls – sounds like a scene straight out of a horror movie, right? For the homeowners who reached out to us for help, this is real life and unfortunately, mice are a common pest problem here in Maine. So, what can be done to stop mice from taking up residence in walls? Read on to find out.
First, why do you hear mice crawling in the walls but not see them out and about?
That’s a great question and the answer may be as simple as timing. You see, mice are primarily nocturnal critters that tend to forage for food and water once the sun goes down and the occupants of the home have settled in for the night.
During the daylight hours, they tend to hide away in their makeshift homes (i.e., your attic insulation, a cardboard box full of Christmas decorations, stored furniture, etc.) in order to evade notice and ultimately capture. If you’re hearing them scurrying through wall voids at night but not seeing them during the day, it’s most likely because they are foraging in your pantry and cupboards while you sleep and when the threat level to them is at its lowest.
If you’re observing mice moving around your home during the day it could be because their nest was disturbed or it could be an indication that you have a large infestation of these rodents in your home.
How do mice get inside?
Mice are small and sneaky. They have the ability to flatten their bodies which makes slipping through small holes and openings a cinch. Any crack, gap, hole, or other openings that are ¼ of an inch in diameter or greater on the outside of the home could be used as a way in for opportunistic mice. Ways in include, but are not limited to:
- Openings into crawlspaces
- Gaps under garage doors
- Unscreened laundry and roof vents
- Holes in roofline
- Loose siding
- Unsealed drain pipes
Getting rid of mice in the walls
Your first inclination upon hearing noises coming from your walls may be to run out and grab a truckload of mouse traps. While that idea has merit, it also has its drawbacks. Mouse traps properly set and strategically placed can be quite effective in catching the mice that are foraging out and about but, and there’s always a but, this rodent control method can fail like a Pinterest project if not managed properly. Improper placement of traps, using the wrong bait, and not addressing entry points are factors that often produce lackluster results.
If you want to get rid of mice in your home and prevent new rodent infestations from occurring, we suggest calling an exterminator that specializes in rodent control. Did we mention that we are one of those companies?
Comprehensive rodent control services from local pest pros
Since 2011, locally owned and operated Pine State Pest Solutions has been helping property owners in Auburn, Scarborough, and Portland as well as throughout our multi-county service area eliminate mice and other rodent infestations.
When you reach out for help solving a mouse problem, we will:
- Inspect your home (both inside and out) to determine the severity of the infestation
- Locate potential points of entry
- Find out what’s attracting mice to your home
Once we have a better understanding of the scope of the mouse problem, we’ll develop a customized rodent control plan that would likely include:
- An initial rodent clean-out
- Sealing obvious access points and completing other minor exclusion work
- Interior and exterior bait boxes
- Recommendations on how to make your property less attractive to rodents
For severe rodent problems, we may prescribe follow-up visits to ensure the infestation is resolved.
For greater protection against mice and other pests, sign up for Pine State’s Home Protection Plan
Our one-time rodent control services are highly effective in exterminating mice but if they’re not the only pest causing problems in and around your home, we recommend signing up for one of our year-round home pest control plans. Compare plans and pricing below or give us a shout to discuss your home’s pest control needs.
*initial start-up fees may apply
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