Dead Giveaways Mice Are Secretly Living In Your Walls
Mice can chew through insulation, drywall, wiring, and wood, causing all sorts of problems in your home. Even with all the damage they leave behind, it can often be hard to know if mice are living in your home. This is because they are primarily active at night and like to hide in areas of the home that aren't as busy, such as basements, attics, or inside your walls. Luckily, a few dead giveaways will tell you if these rodents have taken up residence in between the walls of your house. One of the most significant indications of a mouse infestation is hearing scratching in your ceiling or walls. This is most common at night but may be heard at other times when the house is quiet.
Because mice may also carry dangerous diseases, such as hantavirus, salmonellosis, and leptospirosis, it's crucial to tackle infestations as soon as possible. Though you might find ways to get rid of mice humanely, more serious infestations could require professional help.
Signs of mice living in your walls
Besides scratching noises, you may also hear soft squeaking sounds, as well as the pitter-patter of tiny mice feet walking across your ceiling or throughout your home. Additionally, another telltale sign of a mouse secretly living in your walls is finding greasy marks on the bottom trim of your walls or the floor. Since these animals with oily fur often travel the same path, these streaks indicate where they have been moving in your home when they come out of the walls.
If you continue searching, you may also discover unpleasant gifts from the mice. Dr. Nancy Troyano, a board-certified entomologist with Ehrlich Pest Control, told Progressive, "Droppings are usually the most easily identifiable sign of rodents in any home. Rodents produce a lot of droppings throughout the day, and they're usually found along walls, in cupboards, or under sinks." Mouse feces is typically ¼-inch long and has at least one pointy end. Additionally, the scent of ammonia could be a product of mice urine in your walls. With these signs, you can tell if your walls are full of unwanted pests.
More indications of a secret mice infestation
These rodents absolutely love to chew, and you may discover little bite marks on objects around your home or even openings near the bottom of your walls or in baseboards. Additionally, you might try searching for pieces of shredded paper or fabrics that mice will use to construct their nests in your walls. If you find mouse poop and these materials in a specific spot, this could show you where the pests are entering and exiting your walls.
When dealing with mice, you should keep all foods in sealed containers or bags and clean up crumbs or cooking messes quickly. Removing access to food and water can be an effective way to get rid of mice in your walls. You'll also want to seal any openings the mice have created. If problems continue to persist or if you believe there is a small colony of mice living in your home, you should contact a professional pest control agency.