Do you have a mice infestation in YOUR home? Expert shares all the warning signs you should look out for, especially at night
- Experts name scratching sounds, oil stains and shredded scraps as key signs
- READ MORE: Moth the size of a mouse – and it even squeaks like one too
For some, waking up to a mouse scurrying across your floorboards is the stuff of nightmares.
But for many, it’s a noise which is all too familiar – as, with summer winding down, the four legged rodents will also be seeking warmth and comfort.
Now, experts have revealed the three things that signal you have a mice infestation in your home.
Speaking to HuffPost, they advised against underestimating the crafty pests, revealing: ‘Unfortunately, mice are experts in concealment.
‘The tiny critters flit between skirting boards, under cupboards, and in other small, dark places, making them hard to spot’.
Here, FEMAIL reveals three signs that you may have a mice infestation in your home...
The experts have named scratching sounds, oil stains and shredded scraps as key signs that mice have taken over your home (Pictured: Stock image of a typical house mouse)
1. Scratching noises
We’ve all had a quiet moment at home and heard what we thought was a peculiar sound, before pausing the TV to have a listen.
But far from your mind playing tricks on you, it might actually be the sound of a mouse clawing from deep within your home.
As mice are generally nocturnal, you are more likely to hear the scratching noises when you’re laying in bed at night.
To double check, Huff Post advises tapping your hands against the wall or floorboard nearest to the noise.
If the sound stops, then it’s time to trust that dreaded feeling in your gut – it might actually be a mouse.
2. Oil marks
Streaky oil stains left behind by the critters are one of the simplest ways to identify mice activity.
The particular type of oil is called sebum oil and is often secreted from rodent fur, and left behind as they make their way through your home.
Sebum oil comes from the sebaceous gland or oil gland, which secretes an oily or wax-type substance called sebum.
The nocturnal creatures prefer to feel rather than see their way around the world, causing their furry bodies to brush up against your walls, leaving greasy stains in their wake.
Keep an eye out for greasy rub marks or rings around your home, particularly on floors and walls.
Mice are also extremely partial to making nests.
The nests become a sort of home within your home if you will, and the rodents will stop at nothing to make it comfortable for themselves.
The inventive creatures create their nests using various scraps including bits of paper, fabric, plants and even mattress stuffing.
If you spot shredded material around your home, particularly alongside mice droppings (tiny black pellets), it could be a sign that you’ve got furry guests.
3. Urine smell
Have you walked through the door of your home only to encounter a whiff of something foul – but you can’t quite put your finger on it?
One expert says it could be the pungent smell of rodent urine.
According to a home expert at Bob Vila, mice tend to urinate frequently, leaving behind a ‘strong ammonia-like smell’.
The expert added: ‘The smell may be faint at first, but it will become stronger as you get closer to the source. It will also be particularly strong if the infestation is severe.
‘The odor can be particularly noticeable in enclosed areas, such as pantries, cabinets, or drawers, and may require a few kitchen odour cures to eliminate’.
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