Can Mice Cause Structural Damage?

The phrase “structural damage” sounds ominous. We think of walls collapsing, ceilings caving in, and maybe falling through a big hole in the floor. We imagine the kind of damage that might be caused by a wrecking ball, or possibly a tornado. So when the idea of mice causing structural damage is mentioned, it’s easy to dismiss it as needless panic. A mouse is a tiny thing. How can it possibly be mentioned in the same sentence as “structural damage?”

Another Mouse In The Wall

A single mouse is indeed a tiny thing, and can’t cause that much structural damage by itself. But mice are not typically loners, where there is one, there will soon be many.

When we think of a “structure,” we often think of concrete foundations and sturdy wooden and metal components. But what about drywall, insulation, and wiring? What about wooden window frames and baseboards? These structural components are absolutely at risk from mice damage.

Your Structure Has Burned To The Ground

Mice chew on electrical wiring. That seems strange, since we can’t understand why they would chew on metal. But the insulation coating on most electrical wires is actually made of a soy-based material. It doesn’t quite register as real food, but mice will instinctively chew on it, just in case it yields something more substantial. And it doesn’t take many chewed wires to create a fire hazard. A catastrophic fire, started by shorted-out wires, can bring a whole new meaning to “structural damage.” How likely is it that mice will burn your house down? Not very likely, but also not impossible. The chances are better than zero.

Just A Little Hole

Sometimes visible damage goes unnoticed because there was already a small gap between the baseboard and the floor, and now it’s just been enlarged a little bit. A small opening can indicate bigger trouble behind the scenes.

Mice Mob Exterminators wants you to remember that whatever visible damage you notice represents a small fraction of what’s going on inside the walls. In some cases, the hidden structural damage is a hundred times the amount of the visible damage. Call us at the first sign of concern and let us investigate. We’ll stop your infestation before it becomes a catastrophe.