Have you woken up to the unnerving sounds of mice chewing your clothes, books or furniture at night? Mice are one of the most common animal problems that many people have to deal with in their homes. If you see mice in your home, it doesn’t mean that your home is dirty; it simply means that you have the food and shelter they’re looking for. Once they find their way in, they always cause some level of economic damage within a very short period of time. Let’s examine some of the ways these rodents damage your home.
Contamination
In homes, mice can feed on different stored human and pet foods, especially those that are left uncovered. In addition, the hazardous germs in their droppings, hair, saliva and urine …show more content…
contaminate foodstuffs and other items that they get into contact with. Some of these germs are airborne, and can cause various bacterial diseases to your family when you clean or sweep these rodent’s droppings.
Structural Damage Mice have incisors that are designed for chewing, therefore, they find it very easy to chew furniture, wood, and other building materials.
They cause structural damage by making holes through the walls, attic, roofs, chimneys and floors to allow them to get in, and wreak further havoc. These entry points not only weaken the foundation of a building, but also extensive damage to water pipes, drainage systems, which can cost thousands of dollars in repair, if not detected early.
Damage to Building Systems
Mice can also infiltrate critical building systems such as air conditioning units and duct work. These destructive animals do not stop there; they gnaw through insulated ducts and air conditioners, reducing their efficiency, or causing permanent damage. These damaged systems have to be repaired or replaced, which is an added expense to homeowners.
Electrical Damage
Mice love to chew pretty much anything. They often make homes in huge electrical appliances, where they chew the wiring and the protective insulation. As a result, short circuits can occur, sparking deadly electrical fire, as well as other malfunctions. They may also come into contact with electrical panels, and other areas that can affect your home’s entire electrical
system.
Unpleasant Odors
Mice and their nests have a distinctive smell that is not very pleasant. In, addition, when they get trapped and die in confined areas, the extreme odor they emit can aggravate allergies, asthma and other respiratory problems.
Damage to Household Items
Mice also chew clothes, furniture, closets, bedding, books, stuffed animals, drawers and other household items that they are able to chew. As they chew late in the night, they disrupt people’s sleep, and leave stubborn and smelling urine stains in their trail.
Overall, mice can cause extensive damage to your home if they are not detected early and eradicated. It’s therefore important that you contact professional mice removal experts as soon as you see signs of mice in your home. The sooner they are eliminated, the lesser the cost of repair or replacement.