4 Tell-Tale Signs of a Mouse Infestation

Winter is winding down, and spring is giving everyone the hope of warmer weather. As we spend the final days of the season finding ways to stay warm and dry with fuzzy blankets, cups of cocoa, and slippers, there’s another breed looking for the same creature comforts: mice.

As mice and other rodents try to find warmth and food, they may move indoors. An infestation of mice can bring with it disease and allergens and can contaminate food and water. Pay attention to these four tell-tale signs of a mouse infestation before it gets out of hand.

1. Droppings and Urine

One of the clearest signs that mice are scurrying around your home is droppings. These pellets are black and about the size of a grain of rice.

Most often they’re found where food is stored: in cabinets, drawers, and pantries. Take caution if you find mouse droppings in your home. Use gloves to remove and dispose of the droppings and clean the area thoroughly with a household cleaner. Throw out any contaminated food.

Another clear sign of a mouse infestation in your home is a musky, ammonia smell—urine. The smell is most noticeable in small spaces such as cabinets or pantries (the same places you’ll find mouse droppings). Before you try to handle mouse urine stains or droppings on your own, contact pest professionals from PURCOR. We have the experience and equipment necessary to safely deal with hazardous pest materials.

2. Small Bite Marks

Are you suddenly stumbling across small holes in baseboards, cardboard boxes, or plastic? To keep their teeth a manageable length, mice often gnaw dime-sized holes in all types of material.

Common materials include wooden beams, pipes, and wiring, which can contribute to structural issues, electrical fires, and other issues. Pay attention to these small, rough-looking holes—they may be a sign of a bigger mouse problem.

3. Greasy track marks

If you hadn’t caught on by now, mice are rather dirty creatures. More evidence of their presence can be found by the oily, greasy track marks left along baseboards and walls as they run to and from their nests with food. Their oily fur leaves behind clear marks that are a tell-tale sign they’ve made themselves comfortable inside your home.

4. Rodent sightings

The most obvious sign of a mouse infestation in your home is an actual sighting of a mouse. Unfortunately, mice breed quickly, so a small rodent problem may turn into a big one in a matter of weeks.

Typically, mice prefer to hide away from humans or other bigger creatures, but if you see one, that’s usually indicative of a whole family nesting somewhere close by.

Be Prepared for Mice with PURCOR

Don’t wait if you notice any of these mice-related signs in your home. Call the professionals at PURCOR to determine if there’s a larger mouse problem at play. Mice can bring disease and allergens with them and leave behind property damage, contaminated food, and more.

If you think mice are overstaying their welcome in your home, contact PURCOR for mouse control and prevention solutions.