Mice in your home or business?

While rats are probably the first thing you think of when it comes to rodent pests, mice can be equally destructive and pose a health risk to you and your family. While we have a range of different mice in Australia, the most common is the House Mouse and the Field Mouse.  The temperate climate of South East Queensland provides perfect breeding conditions for the House Mouse in particular, and infestations are not unusual.  They can damage properties and their contents in very little time, and spread disease wherever they make their home.

Pest Ex is the region’s leading pest control service, and we are able to service all areas of Brisbane and the Gold Coast.  With over 10,000 satisfied customers and over 10 year’s experience, we are the number one choice for all mice eradication and prevention solutions.

Call us today for a free, no obligation quote on our superior pest control services.

Mice Damage To Your Property

The House Mouse may be small, but they make up for it with their voracious appetite and their tenaciousness.  They are one of the nimblest pests we have in Australia, and are able to breach most homes and businesses easily – even ones protected against other pests.  They can scale fences, dig their way through most soils and landscaping features, and squeeze their way into gaps less than 10 millimeters wide.

Mice are attracted by a variety of food sources and will eat almost anything.  In their desire to get into your property and make a home they may:

• Chew timber structures and create entry holes in basements, skirting boards and in cupboards
• Damage insulation
• Chew their way through electrical cables, wiring and car parts
• Invade poultry runs, pet and livestock enclosures, stealing food and causing damage to structures
• Damage crops after sowing and they can decimate up to a third of mature crops such as wheat, maize and barley. They can also damage vineyards and fruit and vegetable crops.

Mice generally start their breeding cycle in Spring, and if they find a comfortable home, their population levels can soar – from a small family to a plague in very little time.  Unless there is a systematic and thorough solution for the eradication and prevention of mice, they will also keep returning to your property, season after season.

Mice And Your Health

Rats have a poor reputation when it comes to spreading disease, however mice are not far behind in terms of the risk to human and animal health.  Just like many other pests, mice can spoil food with their urine and faeces, leading to conditions such as Mouse Typhoid or Duck Egg Disease, and the virus Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis.

The ticks, mites and fleas that mice carry with them can also be a dangerous factor in the transmission of diseases such as Endemic Typhus to humans, pets and livestock. It is also now believed that dust contaminated by mouse droppings, urine or saliva may cause allergies and asthma.  Other ways mice can transmit disease include:

• Direct contact with the bacteria from faeces or urine through scratches in the skin
• Contamination from a mouse bite (a rare occurrence in Australia)
• Indirect transmission of disease from pets to humans
• Indirect contamination through another carrier eating an infected mouse

Apart from the obvious health risks, it should also be kept in mind that having a plague of pests in and around your property can be a stressful experience for those who have to live or work in the area.

Checking For Mice

Mice can be difficult to locate and even more difficult to get rid of.  They are generally nocturnal and restrict their activity during the day.  However, there are signs that you may have a family of mice (or even a plague) on your premises, and these include:

• Mice droppings – these are small and dark colored, and will be found along any entry routes, as well as anywhere they have been in the property
• Smear marks – along walls, pipes or other barriers from mice using the same route over and over
• Nests – mice prefer to use bits of fabric and newspaper to construct their nests, which generally will be located in roof cavities, behind white goods, in the back of cupboards and under floors
• Mouse tracks – these can be difficult to see unless your property is dusty, however you can sprinkle talcum powder or flour around where you suspect mouse activity
• Noise – the scurrying of mice and scratching noises will be heard mainly at night

Remember, finding evidence of mice activity is just the start of the battle.  Calling in professionals who will be able to find the source of the problem and provide ongoing prevention and management solutions is critical to keeping your property mouse free.

Mice Control Solutions by Pest Ex

Successful mice control by Pest-Ex usually requires correct identification, Baiting and trapping and rectification of any mice entry points. This will eliminate the current problem and deter any future infestations.

• Mice Bait – Rodent bait is widely used by our technicians. We place these baits in areas that are at minimal risk or exposure for children and your pets.
• Mice traps -These are commonly used as they trap and kill the mice instantly and can be disposed of immediately. Mice are smart and sometimes will only attempt to eat off a trap or enter a trap if they’re extremely hungry. It is uncommon that complete mice control will be done using traps only.

How much does it cost to get rid of mice?

The cost of mice control can vary for a homeowner, the most common thing for homeowners to do is buy some cheap baits or rat poison from the local store. Unfortunately these baits and poisons are made in very weak doses. This allows the product to be legal for the public to buy.

The problem with these cheap baits available to the public is that they are so weak in poison content it takes the mice a longer time to die and this is why they usually die in roof voids or wall voids. Mice can also appear stunned or dazed for 12 hours before death and become a easy target for your pets.

Professional treatment usually starts at $125.00 and can be up to $195 for a larger infestation on residential homes.

We specialize in commercial mice control also. For a free quote and estimate on mice control please contact Pest-Ex

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