Do you ever have a feeling or a sense that your home is being invaded by unwanted guests? Your personal space in the kitchen, living room, bathroom, attic, or garage can be the ultimate vacation for mice. What more could they want than a cozy space to call home with a V.I.P. ticket to the crumb buffet around a kitchen floor? All it takes is an entry point for them to sneak in and crash the party. The evidence mice leave behind can provide telling signs of their presence inside your home.
1. MOUSE DROPPINGS
If you notice dark specks approximately 1/8 to 1/4 inch in length throughout your home, there is a good possibility these are mouse droppings. Fresh deposits are dark in color and soft textured until they age. Mouse droppings are usually found in hidden areas, along runways, in drawers or cupboards, near food packages, and around nesting or feeding areas.
2. Runways & TRacks
A mouse inside your home travels the same path consistently, leaving smudge marks (a buildup of dirt and oil from their fur) along walls, holes, and pipes. In dusty locations, you may notice footprints and tail drags, otherwise, you can determine runways or tracks using a flashlight angled toward the perceived area of activity. This may reveal urine stains, droppings, footprints, and other smudge marks.3. TINY, UNEVEN CHEW MARKS
Mice can chew through anything that is softer than their teeth, so gnaw marks are a sure sign of mice. You can find gnaw marks on food packaging, the structure of your house, furniture, etc. On wood, the darker the wood, the older the gnaw marks are from mice.
4. PET BEHAVIOR
If your dog or cat gets excited for some unknown reason, it could be from the sound of mice moving around. The sound of mice gnawing, squeaking, or running through the walls or ceiling is occasionally the only sign of their presence. Although, the odor of rodents can also trigger your pet's curiosity, and push them to patrol an area of potential activity in your home.
5. FINDING NEST SCRAPS
Along with the other signs of rodent infestation, nesting materials like insulation, shredded paper, dried plant matter, and string located around attic and garage areas are other indicators mice may have found their second home.