Mice in Massachusetts are busy during winter months - are you sure you have the facts?

Winter is fully underway now, but in our region of the country, that can still mean some 45-degree days. Despite our semi-frequent warm spells, we are by no means on the other side of rodent season. Mice in Massachusetts are in winter mode, scurrying to gather food and make their way indoors. No warm shelter is off-limits, and that includes your home. They say "know your enemy"-- do you know that you have accurate information? This is a perfect time to dispel some myths about mice.

Myth #1: Mice are only found in unsanitary places. This one is not completely false. While it's true that you are likely to find mice in unclean environments, they will not turn their noses up at nearly any place that offers warmth, shelter, and food sources. Mice are adventurous, which means even the cleanest homes are at risk of mice setting up shop inside.

Myth #2: They only come out at night. Again, not entirely untrue. Mice are in fact nocturnal, but will come out to eat at any time. Depending on food availability, they’ll emerge to snack as often as 15-20 times a day (honestly, same here).

Myth #3: They can’t climb. This would make our jobs quite a bit easier, but mice are actually adept climbers. They can enter a home at ground level and make their way upward, but can also enter upper levels and attics via trees, vines, or other vegetation near the roof line. You might be surprised to learn that mice can also scale vertical walls when the conditions are right.

Myth #4: Mice don’t have a skeletal system. If you’ve ever seen a mouse squeeze through an incredibly small hole, it can certainly be hard to believe there’s a skeleton in that tiny body. Mice only need an opening the size of a dime to gain entry to a structure—that’s pretty darn small. But make no bones about it, mice are in fact vertebrates, just like us. Their skeletal system is specially designed for a life of digging, tunneling, and slipping into small spaces.

Myth #5: Cheese is their favorite food. We’ve all seen the cartoons, the classic archetype of the mouse marching happily back to its hole lugging a big piece of Swiss cheese. But the reality is, while a mouse probably won’t say no to cheese if it’s offered, they much prefer grains, fruits, or seeds-- So save the good cheddar for your human guests.

Myth #6: A cat will get rid of a mouse problem. Anyone who has ever met a cat knows that cats do everything on their own terms. A cat may actively do away with mice in your house, but is just as likely to lazily watch them raid your cupboards. There just are no guarantees. Therefore, getting a cat solely to prevent or get rid of a mouse problem is definitely not a recommended form of DIY pest control.

Rather than relying on what you think you know about mice, or finding yourself at the animal shelter looking for a feline friend, call Burgess Pest Management at the first sign of a mouse invasion.  Our professionals know exactly what to look for, how to handle it, and most importantly, how to keep them from coming back.