Did you know that rodents are one of the most frequent home-invading pests across the country? These difficult pests often come inside in search of food or shelter, and once inside, they create a long list of problems for homeowners. While house mice and rats are the two most prevalent rodents in Dallas homes, the field mouse is another kind of rodent in the area that may get inside.
Field mice are a group of mice that are sometimes known by other names, such as the deer mouse, but they are generally mice that prefer to live outdoors in fields. They are a greyish brown color with long, thin tails and large ears in proportion to their bodies, and they are about 5-8 inches long when you include their long tails. While field mice aren’t as attracted to indoor spaces as the house mouse, they may come indoors looking for shelter and places to nest, especially in garages, sheds, and attics.
While you’re not as likely to get field mice as other mice or rats, they are a big problem once they infest your property. These rodents pose many dangers and risks that you should be aware of. So take steps to identify and prevent a field mouse infestation.
Field Mice: Health And Safety Risks
Any pest species can be frustrating to deal with, but some are more dangerous than others. The field mouse, just like other rodents, might not seem that scary given their small size, but they are actually linked to many health issues.
They carry many potentially serious diseases including leptospirosis, tularemia, and salmonellosis. Field mice also commonly have parasites like ticks and fleas which can spread even more diseases such as bubonic plague, bartonellosis, and Lyme disease. And, if all of the risks of illness weren’t upsetting enough, these mice can also cause allergic reactions and asthma attacks.
While health risks are particularly concerning, field mice are a double threat because they can also destroy property. They need to constantly gnaw on things, and they can damage many materials including plastic, drywall, and even wood. They will often chew through areas around your home to get inside, and they can destroy electrical wiring and plumbing.
Six Field Mouse Prevention Tips
Because field mice can create so many issues once they nest in your Dallas home, the best way to protect your home and family is by focusing on prevention. Keep in mind that field mice are great climbers and often make their way into upper floors and attics of buildings, so you should be sure to implement prevention tips in these areas, too.
Here are six of the best field mouse prevention steps:
- Focus on good sanitation by taking out the trash often and placing lids on all indoor and outdoor trash cans.
- Field mice, and other rodents, are attracted to food sources, so always keep pet food stored inside and in airtight containers.
- To further reduce the food that could attract rodents, keep kitchen spaces cleaned by wiping up food and drink spills, sweeping and mopping, and doing dirty dishes.
- Check for cracks and holes in the exterior walls, including in attic areas and foundation, and seal these up with a combination of steel wool and wire mesh that field mice can’t chew through.
- Having excess clutter around your property makes it easier for these mice to hide. Make sure to reduce and remove excess clutter both inside and outside.
- Focus on sealing up potential gaps where wires and pipes enter your home as these are common areas where mice will make holes to get inside.
How To Most Effectively Control Field Mice
While it’s always a smart idea to focus on prevention steps on your own, field mice and other rodents can be difficult to keep out as they can fit through holes the size of a dime and chew through so many things. Because of this, the most effective and easiest way to both prevent and remove field mouse infestations is by contacting the experts at White Knight Pest Control.
We understand the importance of high-quality pest control and providing flexible, customizable options. Learn more about our residential pest control plans and even get a free estimate by calling us at (844) 933-2588 or sending us a message online.