What do mice do in the winter? Do they hibernate or continue their activity? While other species of animals hibernate, mice don’t. The problem with mice is that they can nest in your home. After they have settled inside your house, they won’t leave anytime soon.
Mice are rodents that like to burrow into your house for warm shelter and stolen grub. But you may also spot the wood and field mice, the close relatives of house mice. These species have plenty of similar features. If you are currently dealing with a mouse issue, Stride Pest Control can help you address it effectively and protect your home from future infestations.
Mice are Social Creatures
All species of mice are social animals. These rodents thrive with their kind and usually nest together. Often, field mice make forests and meadows their home away from human disruption. But house mice are used to being near people for many years. They love to be house squatters. House mice and field mice are nocturnal. For them, the darkness is a great way to camouflage as they look for food that they can bring back to the nests and share with others. They do not venture farther than around ten feet from their nest to forage for food.
Do Mice Tolerate Humans?
House mice do not mind being with humans. Field mice want to be away from humans. During winter when food is scarce, field mice are usually compelled to take shelter in people’s homes.
Unlike other social creatures, mouse communities don’t have a chain of command. Male mice will usually fight others for mating privileges and dominance. They become quite territorial during breeding season.
Do Mice Hibernate?
In the winter, mice don’t hibernate. They use various kinds of nests to wait through the winter comfortably. House mice shelter in man-made structures. When they enter your house, they search for smaller nests to stay warm. Also, mice don’t hibernate as they can conserve energy and find nesting sites to store their food.
Apart from the serious damage that mice can do to your house, they can cost expensive damaged or stolen food. While you are asleep, they can raid your pantry and kitchen cabinets to nibble on whatever they can find. The food that mice tough is contaminated with terms on their saliva, body, feces, and urine. Both field and house mice can carry deadly diseases like hantavirus, salmonella, and LCMV. Once their droppings decompose to dust, they become airborne, causing serious respiratory issues.
Mouse Elimination
To protect your home against pests like mice you need to block potential entryways. Seal gaps, cracks, and holes in your home’s foundation and walls and repair or replace damaged window and door screens. Keep your trash cans sealed and do not leave food scraps outside because they can catch the attention of mice. Ensure that straw, animal feed, and hay is stored correctly.
Look for mouse holes in the walls and under sinks and seal them up. Use glass or heavy plastic containers to store your pantry items. Do not leave spills uncleaned. Also, take out the trash frequently and clean up dishes immediately. If you hear scratching noises in the walls, this means that mice have taken up residence in your house.
You can use mouse traps, poison, or glue traps to address your mouse problem. However, such solutions can raise safety problems for your loved ones and pets. Although you can use your cats to deter or catch mice, they may ignore those pests if they are well-fed. Mouse infestations pose serious risks to your loved ones and property. Use the advantages of Pest control experts and exterminators, because they can get the mice out and protect your home against the viruses and bacteria such rodents bring.
