Mice Rats And Rodents

What Kind Of Mice Does San Antonio Have?

You don’t have to be a pest management professional to know about mice. Most homeowners are familiar with mice. This doesn’t mean they particularly know all the facts, but you could likely pick a mouse out of a lineup. That being said, could you pick a mouse from a rat? Would you know what specific species of mice you were dealing with? It is knowing this information that will be a major difference. It could be this type of information that is the difference between a successful eradication and a non-successful eradication.

In San Antonio, there are only two types of mice that property owners will encounter. This would be the deer mouse and house mouse, which are also extremely common in the areas of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana. Now that the introductions have been made, the house mouse is the smaller of the two and nearly hairless. It has a slightly pointed black nose with protruding eyes and large ears that stick out. As far as color goes, this species can range anywhere from very light brown to black with gray a slim bellies. The droppings from the house mouse are black with a musty odor, which is usually one excellent way to distinguish between the two.

The deer mouse is one that is bi-colored with feet, bellies, and undersides coupled with brownish backs and heads. The tails are probably this species distinctive quality, as they’ll usually be as long as the mouse itself. Oftentimes they are even the length of the mouse with the head and body combined. Just like the bodies, the tails are also bi-colored or multi-colored. When compared side-by-side with the house mouse, it will be the deer mouse that has the larger ears and eyes. The droppings from this critter are black and smooth with pointed ends.

A Bit More On The Droppings

When it comes to distinguishing between critters, especially mice and rats, there is simply no better way than by examining their feces or droppings. As disgusting as this mind sound, it could make all the difference in the world. You learned a little bit above about the differences between the droppings of the two species. However, that isn’t everything you need to know. Other things to note are, the droppings are typically black and can range anywhere from 3 to 6 millimeters in length. They usually come in a granular shape, similar to that of a shape of rice.

Indeed, many people commonly compare mice droppings to rice. These droppings will usually be located near breeding sizes and nesting areas, so make note of where you find them. Droppings are also commonly found near feeding sites, which can be of huge importance in some situations.

Spotting The Quick Signs Of A Mice Infestation

While there are many signs of a mice infestation, it’ll be important to know the more distinctive ones. These are likely the ones that will stick out right away.

Droppings, of course, in and around the property
Nests usually constructed out of materials like newspaper, twigs, and even grass clippings
Gnaw marks on exposed wood and electrical wires
Listen for the scurrying of little feet in the walls or on the ceiling at night

Why Do San Antonio Homes Have Mice?

One interesting thing most people don’t know about mice is, they are commensal creatures. Most people don’t even know what commensal means, but what it really means is that these creatures share similar habits as to that of the human. Mice are always constantly on the search for food, water, and shelter. If they are in your home, you can likely bet they are getting one or more of these things. Find out where and how they are getting it, eliminate it, and you’ll clear up your pest infestation. Of course, this is much more difficult than it sounds, given that these creatures can squeeze through some of the smallest openings. They can get through holes as little as ¼ inch in diameter.

Do Mice Pose A Threat?

Unfortunately, mice do pose a huge threat. They might be smaller creatures, but the threats they pose are real and huge. They are not only commonly known for carrying, transmitting, and spreading diseases, but they are plain nasty creatures. They are constantly defecating and urinating everywhere. Some of the most common diseases these creatures have been like to are Hantavirus, Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome, Lassa Fever, Leptospirosis, Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis, Rat-Bite Fever, and Plague.

Along with all this, they are constantly gnawing on stuff. Electrical beams, wire, and even steel pipes. They’ll chew on it all, and this is because it is in their nature. Their front teeth are perpetually growing and to help combat the sensation, they are always gnawing them down on something.

Contamination of surface and food they come into contact with
The spread of several serious illnesses and diseases
Structural damage from chewing and gnawing
The risk of electrical wire because of gnawing on electrical wires

Proper Mice Elimination

Mice not only possess the ability to thrive in little but they’re unique adaptive abilities. They can climb up walls, run on vertical and horizontal surfaces, and tight-walk on cables, wires, or ropes. They are extremely quick and will go out of their way to avoid common mousetraps. This is why it is usually necessary to bring in a pest management professional like us. We posse the tools, knowledge, and know-how to help you deal with your mice problems. We’ll also try to do so in the most humane ways possible.

When Will You Show Up?

Along with treating mice, rats, and rodents, we also offer a wide range of other pest management solutions in San Antonio. Needless to say, we stay pretty busy all year, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t willing to adapt. We have to in order to survive and that’s why we’ll have someone out at the property within 24 to 48 hours after you make initial contact with us.

Are Your Treatments Safe?

Unfortunately, there are times when we will have to utilize pesticides to eliminate mice. We always try to opt for eco-friendly and more humane solutions whenever possible, but it’s not always possible. All we can say is, when pesticides are necessary, we make sure we utilize certified and trained techs to administer them.

Is It Possible To Prevent Mice And Rats?

Just like every insect, critter, and creature out there today, it is much easier and better all-round to prevent an infestation before it starts. Of course, this is something that’s much easier said than done, especially when dealing with a quick-witted creature like the mouse. These beats will go out of their way to avoid detection. All in all, this doesn’t mean there aren’t things you can do to mitigate your risks of an infestation. With that being said, there is no better to start than by applying the following: