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I most recently had some issues with mice getting into a car that we don’t drive as much. This bad experience with mice steered me into this week’s extension news.
No matter where you have them, these rodents create safety concerns. Not only do they damage most soft materials to use for their nesting, but they can also damage foundations & sidewalks by burrowing under concrete. They will gnaw on wiring of any kind, in vehicles, equipment or buildings causing shorts and electrical hazards. When mice and rats eat on these things, they also leave behind droppings and urine stains. This is known to contaminate food sources meant for humans, pets, and livestock, and has led to respiratory issues including the spread of 35 different disease for humans and pets around the world.
If rodents are seen frequently during the day, it is projected that for each you see there are 20 to 50 more you don’t see.
Signs of a mouse or rat problem:
• Squeaking, gnawing, or scratching noises in walls, cupboards, ceilings and under floors
• Added debris such as shells or fruits with the sides eaten out
• Holes chewed through walls and floors that create entry points into the building
• Stale smells coming from hidden areas
Totally eradicating mice and rats is nearly impossible in barns and other open storage spaces. However, there are steps you can take to retain control of the situation in any area.
This seems to be the most difficult, as these little creatures are talented and they can squeeze through holes you can barely see, jump high and long, and even climb wires.
• Openings must be sealed with mortar, concrete, sheet metal, or hardware cloth (19 gauge or heavier with no openings more than ¼ inch) around anywhere they enter structures.
• Corrugated metal siding should be sealed, and corner seams made tight.
• Dispose of garbage on a frequent basis and pick up or eliminate clutter.
• Store all food, animal feed, and grains in airtight or metal containers.
• Dry up water sources such as dripping faucets or leaking pipes.
• Clean up spilled food right away and wash dishes soon after use. Keep outside cooking areas and grills clean.
• Keep woodpiles & outside garbage cans farther away from the house.
• Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well-trimmed.
Trapping is a way to quickly get rid of mice and rats. They have a small home range; rats travel no more than 100 feet and mice less than 30 feet from their nesting site.
• Traps should be placed along walls, near holes, or at right angles along beams, rafters, or other travel ways.
• For those that are too small or big for the snap traps, glue boards or poison pellets may be another solution.
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