RI, MA EHS Pest Control Blog

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In today’s tough economic and housing climate there are residential houses that are vacant for extended periods of time. Months long is not uncommon and in some cases it may be a year or more. It is worse when it is a foreclosure when the occupants leave with no notice and leave many possessions behind. In some cases they leave behind food items, grass seed, bird food, pet food, etc. A total buffet for pests!

The problem with houses like this is that pests often find the house and can get out of hand in a short period of time. Mice are a perfect pest for these situations. They are prolific breeders so in 3 months the number of mice in a home can quadruple! The environment is perfect for them, the house is vacant, quiet, dark, and there is always food and nesting material left behind.

The attached picture shows you exactly this scenario. Mice got so out of control in this vacant house that they created heavy runways (travel routes) into voids. The picture shows a gnaw hole created into a floor void from the basement level. You can see the “greasy” rub marks that are created when mice frequent the same paths. These rub marks are from the lanolin (oil) on their fur. In this case the buyers home inspector pointed out that there was a high level of mouse activity and they should contact a professional. EHS performed an initial treatment and excluded the mice out at the foundation level. We then did a 30 day follow up and have a 6 month follow up on the books. The treatment program with 1 year warranty was enough to satisfy the bank plus buyer and the home was sold. See, professional pest control is good for the economy!

Alex Johnson
Service Specialist
Environmental Health Services, Inc.

Pest Control, RI, Pest Control, MA

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Mice love to gnaw. It is their nature. It is not because they have to our their teeth will grow into their brain, that is an old wives tale. They do it because it simulates things they see in nature. Wires are like blades of grass so they gnaw on it. Needless to saw this is very dangerous. They also gnaw on things to create opening & runways. If the population is high they may gnaw to relive built up stress like we bite our finger nails. They may also gnaw to gather nesting materials.

This gnaw hole was found in a basement of a home that had a severe mouse problem. The mice created this hole in the sheetrock & had several nests in the wall void. They also made runways in the walls to move from floor to floor. What is more disgusting is that if you look closely you can see the urine stains among all the fecal droppings. This picture is worth a thousand words! Certainly proof that mice are a real big issue in homes and businesses!

Jason Leduc
Service Supervisor

Pest Control, RI, Pest Control, MA