Unwelcome guests are a problem in the home, whether they’re insects or rodents. Though they’re bigger than many creepy crawlies, mice can make their way into almost any residence. Though you may not want to come across evidence of them, at least there are warning signs to alert you to the need for wildlife control experts. Here’s what to look, smell, and listen for.

How to Know You Have a Mouse Problem

1. Droppings

A visible sign of rodents in your house is fecal matter. Their droppings are small, dark, and moist and eventually turn gray as they dry up. You’ll usually find droppings around food sources, cabinets, pantries, under sinks, and along baseboards where they travel. A heavy presence of fecal matter often accumulates around their nesting or feeding areas.

2. Bad Smell

A persistent stale or musky smell in your home could indicate an active mouse infestation, especially if the smell comes from dark spaces or corners. Because these pests sometimes die behind walls, it’s also possible to smell decaying matter. If you have a cat or dog, they could become attracted to the odor and start to pay sudden attention to areas where the scent is the strongest.

3. Gnawing

Rodents gnaw on solid surfaces to keep their teeth filed down as they grow. As a result, they’re known for chewing on everything from plastic to wood furniture. If you notice tiny teeth marks or holes in your belongings, you’ll likely need wildlife control to rid your home of rodents.

4. Scratching Sounds

Mice are active at night, so if you find yourself waking up to noise within your walls, they could be the culprit. As they move along the ceiling and between walls, their claws produce an unpleasant scampering noise. 

5. Nests

Unfortunately, mice will settle into your home by building a nest. It’s where they give birth and care for their young, and they’ll use anything from shreds of paper, plant matter, or pieces of soft fabric for their construction. If you come across small piles of gnawed materials with fresh droppings around it, you likely have an infestation that will soon get bigger.

For environmentally friendly wildlife control, look no further than the EPA-certified exterminators at Southeast Termite & Pest Control in Knoxville, TN. The company has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau® since 1971 with no complaints, and each technician is highly trained to identify the pests in your house and apply the appropriate removal treatments. Whether you need wildlife control for rodents or treatments for bedbugs, roaches, spiders, or termites, these pest control experts have the skills, equipment, and products to get the job done. To schedule an appointment, call (865) 925-3700 today. Learn more about rodent control online.