- 1). Look for mouse droppings in main living areas. Mouse droppings are small, about 1/8-inch long and black. If you find droppings that are larger than this, you may have a rat infestation. Check your whole house to determine if the infestation is general or more localized to certain parts of your house.
- 2). Look for mouse footprints and tail drag marks in dust and lint on the floor. Doing so will help you determine their level of activity. A lot of prints and drag marks will suggest the presence of many mice. Hold a flashlight over the floor at a low angle (5 to 10 degrees). You will be able to see tracks and footprints by the shadows the light will help produce.
- 3). Check food storage and regular storage areas (pantry, laundry room, closets) for signs of recent chewing. Mice use cardboard and paper products to build nests.
- 1). Put on a dust mask to protect yourself. Enter your crawl space and begin searching for mice activity (droppings, footprints, tail drag marks).
- 2). Place poisonous bait pellets or bait blocks in areas that show a lot of activity. Also, place bait in corners, along foundation walls, and near any other possible hiding place.
- 3). Clean your regular living space, and maintain cleanliness for a while when you are trying to get rid of a mouse infestation. Clean dishes immediately; make sure the trash is taken out; keep spills cleaned up---even water; keep floors and all other kitchen surfaces crumb-free; and clean up after pets immediately. Pet feces is a food source for mice.
- 4). Place mouse bait throughout the high activity areas in your living space. Use snap traps baited with peanut butter near food storage areas to prevent poison exposure. Check the poisoned areas and the traps regularly for signs of further activity.
Detection
Prevention
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