The Dangers of Ignoring a Mouse Infestation

Thanks to their cute faces with large, black eyes and big ears, mice have captured the hearts of many. However, there is a big difference between a pet mouse and a wild home intruder. If you have seen a mouse in your home or found evidence of their presence, you do not have a cute visitor; you may be facing a dangerous infestation. Investing in mice removal as soon as possible is essential for stopping the growth of the colony.

However, many homeowners start small with their efforts. Maybe a few traps in corners or a small adjustment to how they dispose of their trash. Unfortunately, these measures are almost never enough to deal with a mouse problem, and failing to address the issue (or ignoring it intentionally, hoping it will go away) can cost you more time and money later, as well as potentially even your home or your health.

Key Takeaways

• Waiting to address a mouse infestation or hoping it goes away on its own can cost you time, money, and even your life.
• A single mouse can have as many as 50 babies in a year, leading the population to boom in just a few weeks.
• Mice may chew through a home’s structures, including wood, insulation, and even wiring, to cause fires and structural damage.
• Mouse droppings can stain ceilings and cause an unpleasant ozone odor that requires extensive and costly remediation.
• Mice carry a variety of diseases, from rabies to the potentially life-threatening hantavirus.

Why Ignoring a Mouse Infestation Can Cost You Big

Just because you see a single mouse does not mean it is alone. In fact, odds are that if you see one mouse, there are multiple others nearby. Ignoring early signs can pose significant risks.

Mice multiply quickly

People usually associate rabbits with rapid multiplication, but mice have them beat: a single female can produce almost 50 babies each year. Now, imagine how many of those 50 babies are female! It takes just six to eight weeks before those females start having 50 babies. You can probably see why spending even a week or two on less-targeted control options can be too little too late, with catastrophic consequences.

As the mouse population grows, it does so exponentially. With it, all of the other negatives the colony presents also multiply. The situation can get well out of hand in a matter of weeks.

Mice can damage the home

Even a single mouse can wreak havoc on a house, but an entire grouping of dozens or hundreds can do even more. Mice prefer to live in secure, small spaces with minimal lighting and easy access to food, water, and warmth. For many homes, the space inside the walls is a perfect place to settle. Alternatively, mice might make their nests in the attic.

In either case, damage can quickly result. Mice may chew through insulation, either to create paths for movement or to gather material for nesting. Over time, their chewing and droppings can damage home structures and leave an unpleasant ozone smell that is difficult to remove, even after the mice are gone. Address the issue as soon as you can to prevent more severe damage from occurring.

Mice can cause fires

As part of their incessant chewing, mice may chew through the wiring in your home. This is much more sinister than simply cutting off power to a light or a TV. The now-exposed wires can ignite wood, insulation, or other flammable materials, starting a fire. Even worse, these fires begin in places you cannot immediately see, such as inside walls or the attic, which allows them to spread significantly before you notice any signs.

Mice may carry disease

There is a reason mice are associated with the historic Black Plague! They are effective vectors of disease, and humans are at risk from a variety of illnesses that mice can carry. While you probably won’t get the plague from them nowadays, you may be exposed to rabies, salmonella, leptospirosis, or even hantavirus.

Hantavirus can be a severe or even life-threatening illness that affects the lungs, causing them to fill with fluid. Symptoms can show up as late as eight weeks after exposure, so it’s important to act quickly to remove mice, even if you don’t feel sick.

Get Help With Mouse Control from the Professionals

Whether you have actually seen a mouse on your property or you simply have reason to believe they may be present (e.g., scratching or droppings), it is essential to act now. And “now” means today! Do not give mice the time they need to reproduce, as they can do so quickly and turn your problem from a couple of rodents into a full-fledged infestation. Contact Spartan Animal & Pest Control to schedule a visit and receive a customized mouse control plan to rid your home of these invasive mammals before they cause harm.