As Charlotte rodent control professionals, there are several myths and rumors we have heard about mice and rodent control floating around. While some myths seem plausible, chances are, the exact story you have heard may not be 100% true. We are going to address 5 of the most common myths we’ve heard in the Charlotte area about controlling mice in your home.
Myth 1: After consuming rodenticide (mice bait), mice will seek water.
Fact: There are no known products that will make a mouse extremely thirsty. If they are nesting inside, chances are pretty good that they have already found a food and water source close by that has been supporting them. With the food source still present, there is really no reason for them to seek more water elsewhere.
Myth 2: Mice will leave your house to die outside (sometimes heard while seeking water).
Fact: While this would be ideal in a perfect world, there really is no guarantee where a mouse will die after consuming mouse bait. Some products work over a period of a few days, so they really could be anywhere during that time period.
Myth 3: Using spray foam and packing insulation around pipes will keep mice out of a home.
Fact: Spray foam and insulation are actually great nesting materials for mice. Their razor-sharp teeth help these rodents chew straight through these materials rendering them pretty useless in the world of rodent exclusion.
Myth 4: Cats are all the rodent control you need.
Fact: If only it were that simple. While cats may do okay at chasing a couple of mice away from time to time, there are many places mice travel and live within homes that a cat cannot access. Another point worth mentioning here is that oftentimes, mice are also attracted to pet food.
Myth 5: Mice are just baby rats.
Fact: Mice are mice and rats are rats, and one does not turn into the other. The most common type of rodents we deal with in Charlotte and surrounding areas are the House Mouse, Deer Mouse, and the Norway Rat. You can read more about these here under the top 5 wildlife problems we see.
While baiting for mice is a great option for gaining control of a mouse population in your home, bait is typically considered a “bandaid” or a temporary fix to the problem. Exclusion should always be the overall goal in keeping your home free from mice. Rather than continually baiting a home for rodents, we can assess your home and discuss sealing any cracks, gaps, and/or entry points that may be serving as an expressway into your home. Call (704) 850-6091 or send us an email to see how we can help keep your home rodent-free!