Should you be concerned about mice in your Massachusetts home during the summer?

Many homeowners think of mice as primarily a winter problem; while it’s true that indoor mouse activity ramps up in colder weather, our homes are not immune in spring and summer. Mice are opportunists, seeking food, shelter, and water wherever they can get it, no matter the season. This summer, the phones in our office have been abuzz with calls about mice, perhaps related to recent heavy rainfall. Here’s what you should know about mice in your Massachusetts home during summer.

What’s the Big Deal?

Disease: Direct contact with rodents or consuming food contaminated by rodents can spread diseases such as hantavirus and salmonella; mice can also spread Lyme disease.

Air Quality: Mice will nest in and contaminate insulation, and they multiply rapidly. Lots of mice means lots of droppings and urine, compromising air quality.

Damage: Rodent teeth are constantly growing, which means mice never stop chewing. They will gnaw on insulation, wiring, wood, paper, just about anything they can get their teeth on, causing damage that can be potentially dangerous.

Why My House?

Food: Any source of food, such as pet food left out or food not stored properly, will attract mice. Exterior sources such as garbage, compost, bird feeders, fruit trees, or vegetable gardens can draw them to your property before they make their way inside.

Shelter: Mice only need a very small opening to gain access to your home, where they quickly find suitable hiding places. Outdoors, they will enjoy leaf litter, overgrowth, and wood piles.

What Can I Do?

Deny Access: Seal entry points in foundation and around utility lines, repair or replace damaged screens, and repair damage to doors, windows, and bulkheads to prevent mice getting inside.

Reduce Food Sources: Store pantry items in sealed containers, keep cabinets and floors clear of food debris, and bring out garbage regularly.

Nowhere to Hide: Keep grass, brush, shrubbery and vegetation trim, and store wood piles away from your foundation to reduce harborage areas.

Call the Professionals: Mice are notoriously difficult pests to manage on your own. If your do-it-yourself prevention doesn’t seem to be doing the trick, call the experts at Burgess Pest Management. With nearly 100 years of experience taking on some tough rodent problems, mice don’t stand a chance against our team.

An estimate is always free- Request an appointment to find out how we Protect Your Pad from rodents and dozens of other pests, all year long.