Got Mice? We've Got the Solution!

We live in a rural location with many of us surrounded by wooded areas that are teeming with field mice and more. A mouse infestation is a problem that many people face in the Ozarks. Best Pest Control knows that it’s best to address the problem before the little creatures appear. By taking action as soon as you begin to spot mouse droppings, you'll prevent these rodents from creating a larger infestation. If you have a mouse problem, the best pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks can help you!

Identifying Mouse Droppings
For some, it can be difficult to tell mouse droppings from rat droppings, or even other pests for that matter. With mouse droppings, size is a key differentiation. Mouse droppings are usually an eighth to a quarter of an inch in length. They are also tapered at the ends and may look like dark grains of rice.

Regardless of what you may hear, determining how old rodent droppings are is difficult because the color often depends on the food source. The best way to determine the age of the droppings is to remove them or have them professionally removed, and then re-inspect the area after 24 hours. If you see new droppings, then you have a current infestation.

Where to Look for Mouse Droppings
In order to get rid of mouse droppings, the first thing you want to do is to remove the mouse or mice that are the cause. You can remove the droppings, but if the mouse or mice are still around, then new droppings will appear and it will become a cycle. We recommend that you have a professional help remove the mice and their droppings.

If you don’t want the help of a professional, the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) cautions that you should never touch them or pick up their droppings with bare hands. Here are the CDC’s precautions for removing mouse droppings:

• Air out the space where pellets are found for at least 30 minutes before cleaning.
• Wear rubber, latex or vinyl gloves and a breathing mask or respirator.
• Use a disinfectant spray on the area and let it soak in for five minutes. You can also make your own version by mixing one-part bleach to 10 parts water.
• Clean the area with disposable rags or paper towels.
• Put the mouse droppings and disposable cleaning supplies into a plastic bag and seal it well.
• Place the sealed bag in a covered trash can, and take out the trash ASAP.

It’s also important to avoid sweeping or vacuuming up mice pellets before you’ve cleaned the area. Particles from mouse dander and droppings could become airborne, which could potentially make people sick.

Dealing With An Infestation
It’s critical to address any situation that may be making your home more welcoming to mice. This includes:

• Look for potential entry points mice may use to gain access to your home. Their bodies are flexible and many can get through openings as small as a nickel or dime.
• Since mice can chew through plastic, wood, wires, and insulation, be sure to close off any openings that give them access to these materials in walls or crawl spaces.
• Seal openings around pipes or cables that run through walls to the interior of the home.
• Limit access to food sources. Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink or food crumbs on the counter or floor.
• Keep pet food stored in a heavy plastic container. Foods in soft plastic bags are easy for mice to get into.
• Don’t allow trash to pile up. Keep trash can lids closed both inside and outside the home.
• Stack firewood in a storage shed or somewhere away from the main house.

Best Pest Control wants to make sure your home is safe from these pesky rodents. Once you have an infestation of mice, they can be difficult to get rid of. If you need help battling a pest infestation, the best pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to help.

THE LAKE'S MOST TRUSTED PEST CONTROL COMPANY

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www.LakeBestPestControl.com

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573-348-1600 in Osage Beach
573-873-1118 in Sunrise Beach