5 Facts You Didn’t Know About Mice

Rodents are sneaky little pests who like to seek shelter in the comfort of our homes. While most of us know what mice look like, and that they're completely unwanted in our homes, we tend to find that many people don't really know that much about mice. In order to understand why mice find refuge in our homes, it's important to know a little about them first. So, this week, we're sharing with you 5 facts you didn't know about mice.

1. Mice Are Very Common Pests
Each fall, mice and other rodents invade an estimated 21 million homes in the United States. Mice typically enter our homes between October and February, looking for food, water, and shelter from the cold.

2. Mice Eat A LOT!

Despite their tiny bodies (and even smaller stomachs!), mice eat between 15 and 20 times a day. Because of their frequent eating habits, they prefer to build their homes near food sources. To prevent mice and other pests from getting into your food, store all pantry items items in hard, plastic containers with a tightly sealed lid.

3. Mice Are Very Agile

Mice are good jumpers, climbers, and swimmers. In fact, mice can jump a foot into the air, allowing them to easily climb up onto kitchen counters or into pantries to access food. 

4. Mice Can Be Super Tiny When They Need To Be 

Mice can squeeze through openings as small as the size of a dime. This means that a small crack or opening on the exterior of your home (such as where utility pipes enter) is like an open door for mice. Prevent mice from gaining access to your home by sealing any openings on the exterior with a silicone caulk. You can also fill gaps and holes inside your home with steel wool.

5. One Mouse Can Turn Into Many!

A female house mouse can give birth when they are only two months old, and they are able to have to up to a dozen babies every three weeks. This means she could have as many as 150 offspring in a single year! If you spot a mouse in your home, it is safe to assume there are more or there will be soon. It’s best to contact a licensed pest professional before the infestation grows out of control.

Call A B Pest Control & Insulation for Your Pest Control Needs!

Now that you know a little more about the habits of mice, you'll be better prepared to address them if you find them in your home. Luckily, a professional pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks can help you if you find them in your home. A B Pest Control & Insulation is here for all your pest control needs, just schedule an appointment by calling 573-964-1100.

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5 Tips To Prevent Rodents This Fall

Seeing a mouse scurry across the floor is not a sight you want to see. Mice and rats aren't just annoying they're also hazardous to your health and well being. Unfortunately, if you see one little mouse scurrying across your kitchen floor, there may be dozens more hiding in the walls of your home.  They multiply fast and adapt easily. Luckily, our Lake of the Ozarks pest control company can help prevent you from seeing these little furry pests in your home.

Mice are not only annoying they can also be dangerous for you and your family. They can bring in insects such as lice, fleas and ticks into your home. They can also transmit different diseases. Rodents can also cause damage to your home by chewing through wiring, insulation and sheet rock. When mice chew through wires, it can be a fire hazard and put your family's safety at risk.

Mice can enter your home looking for a warm shelter with food and water through any small crack or hole. It doesn't have to be big either, as mice can squeeze through an opening the size of a dime. Access points can be anything from a pipe or vent to a broken seal around a window or door. They can chew through insulation and other easy access points. Once a mouse is in your home, they will wander searching for food and a place to build a nest.

5 Tips To Prevent A Rodent Infestation

1. Seal Up Points of Entry
Inspect your home for any place you think a mouse could get through. Ensure all window and door frames, as well as utility pipes that lead to the outside, are sealed tightly. If you have screens on your windows or doors, make sure they're in tact and repair them if necessary.

2. Keep Food In Sealed Containers
Rodents enter your home looking for food, water and shelter. Make sure they don't stick around by removing any food sources. Keep the kitchen tidy and make sure any food is put away in sealed containers.

3. Keep Trash Emptied And Sealed
Don't let the trash can in your kitchen overflow. Regularly take it to an outside trash can that is sealed tightly. It's also a good idea to wash them out every now and then in case anything accidentally spilled out of the bags.

4. Eliminate Water Source
Keep crawl spaces, basements and attics well ventilated and dry. Leaky pipes or clogged drains should also be fixed as they can create the perfect breeding grounds for mice.

5. Inspect Items Before Bringing Them Inside
Mice can be quite sneaky, so it's best to check all items, such as boxes, grocery bags and other packages before bringing them inside to prevent any hitchhikers from making their way into your home.

If you find a rodent infestation in your house, call a Lake of the Ozarks pest control company. It's best to leave situations like this to the professionals as they will know how to properly eliminate your rodent problems and help you take preventative measures to keep them away. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call A B Pest Control & Insulation at 573-964-1100.

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5 Ways To Tell If You Have Mice

The weather is cooling down, which mean fewer pests. However, rodents and other creatures may find their way into your home. Mice like to seek shelter in warm places during the fall and winter months, which may mean inside your home. Although they like to be sneaky, they do leave clues that let you know they have been in your home. A Lake of the Ozarks pest control company can help you make sure mice don't get comfy in your home, but you need to know they are there first in order to make the call. A B Pest Control & Insulation offers five tips to help you know if you have mice in your home.

1. Damage to Food

Mice love to eat, which is one reason they are in your home. If you look in your pantry and find that a box of cereal has a hole in it, it may be the work of a mouse. Homeowners will often find holes in items like dog food, bird seed and, of course, pantry items. Often times the damaged item will show teeth marks, so it will be clear it is mice doing the chewing, however, this isn't always the case. 

2. Squeaking in the Wall

One of the first signs you have a rodent problem is noise in the walls. Sometimes you can hear a scratching noise and other times you can hear squeaking. The sound could come from the walls or ceilings. Pay close attention to where you are hearing the noise, as this can help identify how they are getting in and where they are nesting. 

3. Chew Marks

In addition to food items being damage, rodents can also damage your baseboards, furniture and doors. Because their teeth grow fast, they need to chew in order to file them down. This could be anything from baseboard to wiring. If the chewing goes unnoticed, it could cause damage to your home, which could require some costly repairs. 

4. Entrance Points

Mice can squeeze themselves into very tiny crevasses, as they can squeeze down to the size of a quarter. Seal up any cracks, holes or other openings to prevent them from coming into your home. Not only does this prevent them from coming in by having an easy access, it also helps insulate your home and keep it at a comfortable temperature.   

5. Look for Droppings

Finding small grain-sized droppings in corners, along the edges of your home or where you have spot activity (like in the pantry) is a sign of an active infestation. These droppings can transmit diseases. Food that's eaten from a contaminated area can cause serious illnesses. call a professional Lake of the Ozarks pest control company to prevent the situation from getting worse. 

Keep Mice Out with A B Pest Control & Insulation

While the cool air may keep insects at bay, it may drive other pests like mice into your home. Because rodents seek warm shelters, they will invade a home if they find an entrance. Luckily, a professional pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks can help you if you find them in your home. A B Pest Control & Insulation is here for all your pest control needs, just schedule an appointment by calling 573-964-1100. 

Lake of the Ozarks
Pest Control Company

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www.abpest.net

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