Between the diseases mice carry and the destruction they cause, you may not want to have any of the California mice species invading your Los Angeles home. Our article will show you how dangerous a mouse infestation can be and discuss the best way to get rid of mice.
How To Tell If You Have Mice Or Rats In Your Los Angeles House
An invasion of mice and rats can have similar signs and symptoms, but there are a few things to look for in order to determine the difference between rats and mice. To start with, the appearance of these rodents is fairly different. While rats have thicker hairless tails, mice have thinner, hairy tails. Another difference between rats and mice is their snouts. Rats have a more rounded nose, and mice have more triangular ones. Both rodents can appear in shades of brown to grey, but only certain types of rats have black fur.
You may also determine if you have rats or mice by the droppings they left behind. Rats produce slightly larger droppings less frequently, while mice leave behind a higher number of small droppings.
What Do Mice Gnaw Marks Look Like In My Los Angeles Home?
Gnaw marks in your Los Angeles home can be found on packaging, walls, or furniture. You will be able to see signs of a mouse's two front incisors, and the gnawed item will be relatively smooth on one side with the gnawing on the other side. Mouse gnaw marks are fairly small, so if you see them get bigger, you may be dealing with a rat infestation instead.
The Diseases Spread By Mice In Los Angeles
Mice can be fairly dangerous pests to host in your house due to the bacteria and diseases they spread. Diseases mice carry include hantavirus, salmonella, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis. What makes mice particularly risky to have in your home is the fact that you can contract these diseases by coming into contact with the mouse directly or via contaminated food. Mouse feces and urine also carry these diseases and will dry up and become airborne – this increases the risk of illness throughout your home, and there's not a lot you can do to combat it.
Additionally, mice may carry parasites on them, such as fleas and ticks. These parasites come with their own health risks and diseases and may potentially start a full-blown infestation in your home if left uncontrolled.
How Can I Get Rid Of Mice In My House In Los Angeles?
The best way to get rid of mice is to engage in prevention tactics and to invest in professional pest control. After following the steps below on ways to keep mice away, give the experts at A Step Above Pest Control & Termite a call; we will help you finish protecting your property from mice and ensure any infestation of California mice is fully taken care of.
Ways to keep mice away include:
- Keep your yard clear of debris and the grass trimmed low to reduce outdoor hiding spots for mice.
- Remove factors that attract mice to your house, like unguarded trash and food. Seal all food waste and dispose of trash promptly. You should also clean up food and drink spills immediately and ensure your home remains clutter-free.
- Seal up potential mouse entry points around your house with steel wool, as this is a chew-proof material.