New York City is notorious for its rodents, but while you may see rats and mice on the subway or the street, you don’t want these pests in your home. Rodents, specifically the common house mouse, can cause serious problems if you let them make a home out of your NYC property.
You might be wondering how mice got into your home or apartment, especially if you live high up or in one of the outer boroughs. Let’s talk about how these pests end up in New York City homes, and how you can keep them out in the future.
COMMON HOUSE MOUSE IDENTIFICATION GUIDE
The common house mouse is one of New York City’s most common infestation problems. These little guys are everywhere, but while NYC residents experience house mice often, that doesn’t make them less dangerous.
The common house mouse grows anywhere between 2-4 inches and ranges in color from gray to brown or black. House mice have rounded ears and bodies, and four feet with flexible toes. They are considerably smaller than other rodents, which helps them hide in your home.
You might be inclined to think that house mice are cute, at least compared to other rodents. Make no mistake: house mice are one of the last things you want in your home or apartment.
WHY HOUSE MICE ARE DANGEROUS
House mice are considerably less cute when you know about all the different diseases they can transmit. These pests pick up pathogens from the various places they forage, including alleyways, dumpsters, trash cans, and the subway.
Those pathogens are then transmitted when the mouse gets in your house, spreading through various pathways. A house mouse might contaminate your food if it gets into your pantry, or it might contaminate your floor wherever it leaves its urine and feces. House mice can even spread certain diseases simply by running through your home.
Common diseases spread by house mice include:
- Salmonella
- Giardia
- Leptospira
- Bartonella
- Tularemia
- Hantavirus
- The Plague
House mice have no place in your New York City property. So, why are they so hard to get out?
HOW TO REMOVE HOUSE MICE FROM YOUR NYC HOME
A house mouse infestation is incredibly hard to get rid of. These pests are sneaky and can fit in very small crevices, making them hard to even find in your home. Additionally, house mice reproduce fast: one mouse can have a litter of 6-11 pups, and it only takes a few months for each litter to reach reproductive age. By reproducing quickly and hiding very well, mice can survive DIY exterminations. This is simply because traps and poisons don’t kill the population.
The only way to effectively get rid of a mouse problem is with the help of local pest professionals. The pest experts at Broadway Pest Services have years of experience dealing with mice in New York City, and they’re ready to help you too. Reach out today, and reclaim your home from these dirty pests.