mousetrap and cheese

As a smart and creative human, you might perceive mice as low-intelligence beings you could undoubtedly outwit on any given day.

However, mice actually have a brain-to-body mass ratio that is about the same as humans. Mice are surprisingly smart and able to use their learning and memory skills to their advantage after taking up residence in your home.

From the extermination pros at Precise Termite & Pest Control, here are some tips for how to catch a mouse when traps don’t work.

Issues with a Mouse Avoiding Traps

Mice are smart and sneaky little rodents skilled at finding various hiding spots in a house.

For example, mice may dodge traps and hide in attics, basements, and crawl spaces because they are dark, quiet, and often free from human activity. They might also hide in walls after chewing through drywall and kitchen pantries because of the abundance of food inside.

Many things attract mice to a house, including easily accessible food, standing water, piles of clutter, and warm spaces in the winter. This is problematic because mice are known disease carriers that can spread hantavirus, leptospirosis, and bacterial infections to humans.

How to Handle Mice Avoiding Traps

If you are dealing with mice that aren’t falling for the traps you’ve set out, it’s time to take other action.

You could start by setting various types of traps, such as glue, snap, and live traps to see if one is more effective than the rest. Another idea is to try different baits, such as peanut butter, cheese, bacon, or cotton balls they could use for their nests.

When existing traps don’t work, you could also try using nuts, seeds, marshmallows, and pet food as bait. However, be careful not to use too much bait because doing so can allow mice to eat the bait without triggering the trap to snap. Setting up more traps in strategic areas can increase your chances of catching mice in your home.

It’s crucial to place mouse traps in high-traffic areas that are directly in their paths. Placement is usually most successful along the walls and when you place the bait facing the wall. After you catch a mouse, clean or replace the trap so that it doesn’t contain previous mouse debris that might deter other mice from entering the trap next.

Beyond just traps, you might also try natural deterrents for mice, such as essential oils in strong scents like peppermint and citronella. Cat litter and bay leaves may also help deter mice because of their strong sense of smell.

Mouse Traps Not Working? Call Us!

If none of these DIY techniques are working, it’s time to call in the professionals. Precise has been helping northern New Jersey homeowners get rid of their mice for over 30 years.

Our mouse control services eliminate and prevent future infestations so that you always feel safe and comfortable in your home. Our exterminators are experienced in using a combination of mouse control techniques, such as trapping, poisoning, habitat modification, and exclusion.

When you call us to handle your mice situation, you reduce your risk of bites and disease while learning practical tips for keeping your home mouse-free in the future. For your free mouse inspection or to learn more about our professional mouse control, please call us at 866-971-2847 or contact us online.

The rat hid in the space between the wooden beam and the roof tiles,Hiding of the mice

Mice are among the most prevalent pests in our region and are notorious for finding excellent hiding spots, especially during the day. This behavior is problematic because mice are harder to catch and get out of a home when they aren’t in plain sight.

From the extermination professionals at Precise Termite & Pest Control, here are some answers to the question, “Where do mice hide?”

Where Do Mice Hide In Apartments?

In apartments, mice gravitate toward the corners of closets and the spaces underneath appliances. They also chew through drywall to get into the walls and find quiet hiding spots. Kitchen pantries and the areas under furniture are common mice hiding spots.

You often find mice in common areas of apartments shared by multiple tenants. These areas may include communal kitchens, lobbies where food is left out, storage closets, and trash cans.

Where Do Mice Hide in a House?

Where do mice hide during the day in the house? Houses tend to have even more hiding spots than apartments because they’re larger, making it even more challenging to catch and get rid of mice.

Mice often hide in attics, basements, and crawl spaces because these are dark and quiet areas where people rarely spend time. You may also find mice hiding in your home’s garage, especially if it is filled with boxes and clutter.

Why Mice Hiding Spots Are Concerning

Since mice are nocturnal, they look for dark and warm places near food sources to hide during the day. They are most active between dusk and dawn, so seeing a mouse during the day is unlikely unless it is seeking food.

Mice often enter homes during the fall and winter seasons to seek warmth and shelter from the cold. Once inside, they can cause significant damage to an apartment or house, such as chewed wires, HVAC system damage, and plumbing issues.

Mice carry diseases that can be spread to humans, including hantavirus and leptospirosis. Since mice reproduce so quickly, it is possible to have a full-blown infestation before you even realize you have a mouse problem.

For all of these reasons, uncovering mice hiding spots is critical. If you discover where mice are hiding, you can target them quickly and eliminate them before they make you sick or destroy your home.

Get Professional Help with Hiding Mice

However, finding where mice hide is often easier said than done. You can watch and listen for signs of mice activity, like fecal droppings, gnaw marks, and squeaking sounds. But if you’re having trouble locating how they get inside and where they spend most of their days, it’s time to call for professional help.

Precise Termite & Pest Control offers safe and effective mouse control solutions you can rely on when mice invade your home. Our affordable pest control services enable you to live in a rodent-free home with peace of mind.

For your free inspection or to learn more about our mouse control strategies, please contact us online or by calling 866-971-2847. We have been your local pest control experts for over 30 years and look forward to helping you find all the mice hiding spots in your home.

Grey rat near wooden wall on floor. Pest control

Mice are rodents that belong in nature, not in the safe and comfortable households we have created. However, it is common for mice to find their way indoors during the fall and winter months as they seek shelter from harsh weather conditions.

So, what are mice attracted to, and what makes them choose certain homes more than others?

In this Precise Termite & Pest Control article, we discuss what attracts mice to a house and how to eliminate those enticing factors that lead to infestations.

Easily Accessible Food

Mice need a steady food supply to live and thrive like all living beings. Therefore, mice are attracted to food sources that are easy to reach. They love crumbs on the floor, unsecured leftovers on the counter, and pet food in bowls.

You can deter mice by promptly cleaning up spills, securing trash cans, and storing food in airtight containers.

Standing or Dripping Water

Mice also need water to survive, so any water sources around your home are attractive to them. Mice may gravitate towards pet water bowls, decorative fountains, and house plants with standing water.

To prevent mice, fix leaky faucets and remove unattended water containers from your home.

Warm and Cozy Spots

Like us, mice want to be warm and comfortable during the winter. Cozy spots are particularly attractive to mice when they are reproducing and raising their babies.

Regularly inspect your home around heat sources like radiators and fireplaces to check for mice activity.

Areas Sheltered from Predators

When mice find shelter in your home, they can cause significant damage to your home’s structural integrity, wiring, and pipes. Mice move into these places to stay safe from predators.

Check behind your appliances, under furniture, and in uninhabited places like attics and crawl spaces to see if mice are using your home for shelter.

Piles of Clutter

Clutter around the house does more than just take up space and cause a sense of overwhelm. It also attracts mice because clutter provides excellent hiding spots from humans during the day.

It is best to keep your home tidy and minimize clutter to reduce the potential hiding places for mice and other pests.

Dirty, Unhygienic Places

If you have areas around your house that are dirty and unsanitary, these are also typical places to find mice. These areas are breeding grounds for mice-borne diseases that can make people and pets sick.

Avoid neglecting areas of your home and allowing them to become excessively dirty to prevent mice activity and infestations.

Contact Us for Professional Mice Control

We hope these examples help answer your questions about what attracts mice so you can take steps to protect your home.

At the first sign of mouse activity, contact Precise Termite & Pest Control online or at 866-971-2847. We offer free inspections to help you take control of the problem and enjoy a rodent-free home. As experts in mice extermination, we know what attracts mice and how to remove them effectively while preventing them from returning.

Life is too short to worry about rodent issues. Let us take care of it so you can relax and feel comfortable in your home.

Mice are known as one of the fastest-reproducing mammals on the planet. They breed so quickly that you might have a full-blown mouse infestation before you even realize you have mice in the house or can catch them.

Mice babies, known as pups, are born hairless, blind, and deaf. They are highly dependent on their mothers for the first few weeks but then mature quickly and can start having their own babies within a couple of months.

To help you understand the patterns of mice breeding, Precise Termite & Pest Control offers answers to common questions like “How many babies do mice have?” and “How fast do mice reproduce?”

How Fast Do Mice Reproduce?

Mice can start breeding as soon as six weeks of age and continue to have babies throughout their lives. Male mice become sexually mature at about eight weeks of age, and females can start reproducing at about six weeks old.

The gestation period of mice is just 19 to 21 days, which means that mice can be born at extremely rapid rates.

In favorable environments, such as the comfort and warmth of your home, mice can mate several times per day. This frequency makes it easy for mice to produce several litters per year.

How Often Do Mice Have Babies?

It is common for mice to give birth to litters every three to four weeks when they have favorable breeding conditions. After giving birth, a female mouse can mate again nearly right away and become pregnant shortly after delivering the previous litter

Therefore, it is possible for a female mouse to give birth up to about once a month during a 12-month period.

How Many Mice in a Litter?

A mouse litter typically consists of five to 10 pups. However, some litters only contain three pups. In some circumstances, a litter could have up to 14 pups.

A mouse’s age, health, and environmental conditions impact the litter size.

Preventing the Rapid Spread of Mice

Because of the rapid reproduction rates, it’s important to notice the signs of mice as early as possible before their population becomes out of control. You can prevent rapid mice infestations by sealing up common entry points around cables, door frames, windows, and holes in walls.

If rodents enter your home and begin to multiply, you could have to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to make extensive repairs to various parts of your house. Rodent damage results in billions in costs to homes and businesses throughout the U.S. each year.

So, what sort of damage do rodents cause?

This article explores the most common types of rodent damage and how to prevent it in your home.

Structural Integrity Issues

Often, the most costly forms of rodent damage are structural because mice and rats chew through nearly anything and everything. Commonly chewed parts of your home include insulation, walls, wood, and soft concrete.

Electrical Dangers

One of the most dangerous things about rodents is their propensity to chew through electrical wires. When mice and rats chew through cables, their inner parts become exposed, increasing the risk of fires.

Destruction from Nesting Habits

Mice and rats build nests to give birth and keep their young safe. However, they need appropriate nest-building materials and often find these materials in important items around your home. Paper documents, fabric, and insulation are common nest materials for rodents.

HVAC System Damage

Rodents also tend to build nests within HVAC ducts and damage heating and cooling systems. HVAC repairs are costly and can make you feel uncomfortable if the temperatures outside are extremely hot or cold.

Plumbing Issues

Rodents can also impact your home’s plumbing by chewing through pipes that transport water throughout the house. Chewed pipes lead to leaks, flooding your home, destroying your belongings, and causing expensive repairs.

Pheromone Markings

Beyond the visible damage that rodents cause, they also leave behind odors and pheromones, which are chemical signals transmitted within a species to trigger social responses. Pheromones are contained in rodents’ urine and other bodily fluids. These scents left behind can attract other rodents to your home, resulting in a much larger infestation than you ever imagined.

Personal Item Damage

You work hard to buy clothing and household items that you love, making you feel safe and comfortable. However, rodents are notorious for destroying personal items of significant financial and sentimental value in homes. The damage results when mice and rats chew through your beloved clothes, shoes, photographs, furniture, and items in storage.

Contaminated Food and Surfaces

Can mice damage your house? Definitely, but they can also contaminate your home and cause damage through their fecal droppings and urine. Rodents’ excrement spreads disease when mice and rats get into food that is not adequately sealed and stored away. They can also contaminate countertops and other surfaces in your home that you use for food preparation and personal hygiene.

Call Us to Prevent Rodent Damage

To prevent extensive rodent damage in your home, it is essential to understand the early warning signs of mice and rat activity. Precise Termite & Pest Control specializes in mice and rat control so that you can prevent rodent damage before it occurs.

We offer free home inspections to help you assess your rodent problem and take action before it gets worse. Our services go far above and beyond DIY traps and allow you to rest easy with peace of mind that your home isn’t overrun by pests that cause disease and destroy your home.

Please contact us online or at 866-971-2847 to learn more about our rodent services or schedule your inspection.

ant infestation

Ants are a vital part of the natural ecosystem and offer many benefits, such as soil aeration through the tunnels they make and dispersing seeds they carry that sprout into new plants. However, these insects’ natural home is outdoors, not inside your home.

If you suspect an ant problem in your home, look for these five warning signs. Precise Termite & Pest Control can help you get rid of ants from the very first signs of activity around your home and yard.

1. Actually Seeing Ants

The most obvious all signs of an ant infestation is visible, live ants inside your home. If you see more than just one or two ants crawling around, you likely have a more significant problem that has yet to be uncovered.

Check around your kitchen, especially in food storage and prep areas, to determine the severity of the ant problem. Some of the most common types of ants include pavement ants, fire ants, carpenter ants, and field ants.

2. Rustling Noises

Certain types of ants, such as carpenter ants, make noise when they build their nests inside wooden walls. If you hear unexplained noises, some pest is often to blame.

3. Ant Droppings

Ant droppings are pieces of fecal matter the insects leave behind while residing in a home. The droppings may also consist of soft wood pieces that are combined with the feces. Although small, significant amounts of ant droppings are clear signs that you need to call a professional exterminator.

4. Ant Trails

Aside from feces, ants often leave trails of other materials behind as they crawl from one area of a home to another. For example, you may see brown sawdust trails made from wood shavings and debris that carpenter ants leave behind as they burrow and chew through your home.

This chewing can also damage electrical wiring in your house and cause short circuits and fires. Any kind of ant trail you see is a severe sign of an ant infestation.

5. Dirt Mounds

It is also common to see mounds of dirt among the signs of an infestation in a house. Ant nests resemble small piles of dirt, often near sidewalks or your home’s foundation. You may see larger piles of dirt around your property where growing populations of ants are living.

Professional Help with Your Ant Problem

An ant problem is a significant cause for concern because these pests can contaminate food, spread bacteria, and contaminate food-prep areas in your home. Ants are challenging to get rid of on your own. Fortunately, Precise Termite & Pest Control is here to help with free inspections and prompt, affordable, and reliable service.

If you discover more than just a few ants in your home, it is time to rely on the expertise of a pest control specialist to get the job done right. We offer species-appropriate, safe, and effective ant control solutions year-round and are just a quick phone call away.

We are your local ant experts and can be reached at 866-971-2847 or via online form. We look forward to putting your mind at ease and helping you live ant-free.

Close up of Japanese giant hornet.

Do you have large, swarming insects with stingers flying around your home and aren’t sure what to do about it?

After keeping yourself and others safe, one of the most important things to do is identify what type of insect you are dealing with so that you can properly address the issue.

Deciphering hornet vs. wasp can be tricky, especially if you haven’t encountered many of these pests on your property before. In this Precise Termite & Pest Control article, we discuss the differences between a wasp vs. hornet to help you address your infestation situation.

What Are Wasps?

There are multiple types of wasps, and hornets are one of those types. There are over 100,000 species of wasps in our world today. They can be either solitary or social, and only some species of wasps are aggressive.

Wasps are capable of stinging and building nests out of paper and mud. The nests have honeycomb-like walls and can be various sizes.

Most wasps are smaller than hornets and have hairless bodies with black and yellow rings. Wasps tend to only sting a person when there is a threat, compared to hornets, which may sting even when unprovoked.

What are Hornets?

Hornets are a type of wasp that is more aggressive than other types. The stings from hornets also tend to be more painful than other wasp species. They build nests from paper and can be double the size of a wasp.

Hornets have thicker, elongated bodies and prominent heads compared to wasps. Many hornets have a reddish-brown or black-and-white coloration on their bodies.

Hornets work in groups to build nests, raise offspring, forage for food, and protect their queen. Both hornets and wasps can sting a person repeatedly, which makes them particularly dangerous to people with who are allergic to the insects.

Key Differences of Wasps vs. Hornets

The most obvious differences between a hornet vs. wasp are the insects’ colors and sizes. You can also tell the difference between the insects based on body shape, nesting habits, social structure, and level of aggression.

If you think you might have a bee situation instead, you can learn about the differences between wasps and bees in this article.