Common Questions About Mice

Mice and rats are attracted to 3 things

1. Food

2. Water

3. Shelter

With the arrival of colder temperatures and bugs becoming fewer and farther between, it’s easy to think that pest season is behind us. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a pest-free season in Georgia. While insects might be giving us a break, winter is the season for mice infestations. If you’re not careful, you could be attracting mice to your property. 

Many mice spend the summer months outdoors. Field mice are especially suited to the outdoors, while house mice tend to live inside buildings no matter what the season. House mice can survive outside in the warmer months, but once they take up residence inside, they usually stay there year-round. Field mice, on the other hand, prefer the outdoors in the summer months, but when winter arrives, they often end up inside. The reason for this is simple: They do it to survive.

Like most living creatures, mice need food, water, and shelter to survive. As summer gives way to fall, and fall to winter, food supplies become scarce. Similarly, the weather eventually gets cold enough for outdoor water sources to freeze and mouse burrows become less cozy than they were during the warmer months. When these three essentials become short in supply, mice’s survival instincts kick in and they look for a place to go that can fulfill these needs. Homes and businesses usually provide for all three.

The reason a mouse infestation in the home is so dangerous stems from the diseases mice carry. Mice do not generally bite (unless handled), so that is not the risk. The biggest problem that turns them from a nuisance to a danger is the health risks they bring with them from diseases and parasites. Mice can contaminate food and food surfaces. They are a key contributor to spreading diseases and bacteria which can be risky and potentially lethal to humans.

However, they will destroy property because their teeth keep growing and in order to manage their chompers, they have to chew on wood and other hard things to keep them filed down. If they end up inside the walls, they might chew on wiring, too. Exposed wiring can cause a short and that can cause an electrical fire behind the walls.

Roof Rat

Norway Rat