Are You Dealing with a Winter Infestation?

House mice infestation near Chicago can happen at any time throughout the year. Various signs of mice, like mice droppings and torn linens, can appear whether it is summer or winter. However, winter is the time when mice will head indoors and cause a lot of problems for you, if you do not have proper mouse proofing techniques and mice control in effect. Continue reading to see if you might have a problem with mice this winter.

Listen for Noises

While winter can bring a host of different sounds with it, pay attention for various types of mouse sounds. The most common sounds—scratching, rustling, and scampering—will likely be heard behind your walls. However, you could hear scratching and scampering down your halls at night or in dark corners of your house.

Check for Torn Linens

Mice are known for using bits of paper, cardboard, wood, and linens to make their nests. If you find torn clothing, curtains, or upholstery, then you may likely have a mouse infestation. Check your drawers, closets, and stored clothing for this common sign of mice. If you do find tears and holes in your linens, then look for mice nests in dark corners of your attic, basement, and pantry.

Look at Your Food

In addition to checking the corners of your pantry for signs of mice, look at the food you store in dry areas. Cereal boxes, bags of flour, and other easily-opened food containers are prime food sources for mice. You may notice tears, teeth marks, or small holes where the mice have infiltrated these food containers. Never eat these contaminated foods, because they could harbor various illnesses that mice can transfer to humans.

Notice Mice Droppings

Even if you have not seen any of the previous signs of mice in your home, keep an eye out for mice droppings. These pellet-shaped, black or brown droppings will likely appear in clumps wherever mice regularly gather. If you notice these droppings, along with signs of mouse urine, call for professional mice control right away.