Mouse Control – Richmond & Charlottesville VA
(804) 729-0046 or toll-free at (888) 824-7383
Need Local Mice Removal & Control in Central VA?
Virginia mice control & mouse removal in Central VA. We are the Richmond, Henrico, Glen Allen, Midlothian, Charlottesville, and Central Virginia areas top rated local company providing rodent pest control services for your home and business. Mice, rats and other rodents in your home or workplace can do more harm than you realize. Rodents in your home can spread diseases to your pets and ruin your insulation. In an office or place of business, you can be held legally liable (at a high cost) for damaged stock, contaminated foods, and health code violations by Virginia health inspectors. Contact us at (804) 729-0046 or toll-free at (888) 824-7383 for fast and effective mice removal, rat removal and rodent control.
Mice can enter your home through an opening as small as a dime, and once they’re inside, getting them out can be difficult without help from Richmond, VA pest control professionals. Once there has been a home invasion with mice or rats, they can spread disease and transport fleas that also carry diseases. We have the rodent removal experience and provide professional extermination treatments needed to permanently rid your Richmond or Charlottesville Virginia home of rodents.
Virginia Professional Wildlife Removal & Pest Control Services is a full service company specializing in mice control, rat control and rodent control in the Richmond and Charlottesville areas of Central Virginia. We are committed to providing best-in-class service and results. With an arsenal of state-of-the-art equipment and an expert team dedicated to your peace of mind, we have the tools to tackle any pest or critter problem, big or small.
Did you know that mice are typically nocturnal rodents and hide inside walls, under furniture and inside appliances? House mice contribute highly to allergies and can trigger asthma, and in some cases mice can damage property and cause electrical fires from chewing wires.
Our licensed technicians will inspect your home’s environment to identify problems and determine the best solution needed. We don’t just postpone the problem; we stop it at the source so it doesn’t come back. Regardless of whether your Richmond or Charlottesville VA pest problem is residential or commercial, count on us for fast and affordable results to effective rodent control.
Mice in homes can become a real problem—they build nests, contaminating food, causing damage, and spreading disease. But to get rid of mice in a home or business, you need to understand what they do and why they do it. Also, their likes and dislikes. Trapping mice or treating for them is usually the best method for controlling a mouse problem. Using a rodenticide for mouse control should always be left to professional pest control people.
How Do You Know If You Have Mice?
Although the most obvious sign of mice is actually seeing live or dead mice in your house, there are plenty of other signs that can tell you a mouse infestation might be building. These include:
- Gnawed holes in stored foods, piled papers, insulation, etc.
- Food scraps or wrappings left behind, especially in out-of-the-way places, such as inside shoes or boots or in the corners of closets and cabinets
- Droppings or tiny hairs
- Runways—narrow pathways where dust and dirt have been swept clean, noticeable grease marks, or urine trails that can be seen under a black light
- Nests or piled nesting materials
- Skittering or scratching sounds coming from wall, ceiling, or floor cavities
- Stale, rank, or musty odors
How Do You Know If You Have A Mouse Problem Or A Rat Problem?
There are key differences between mice and rats. Mice are much smaller than rats. Adult mice are about 7 1/2 inches in length, including the tail. The most common rats in Central Virginia are the Norway rat and the roof rat. They can be anywhere from 13 to 18 inches in length, with tail length varying by species.
The Difference Between Rats And Mice – Why It Matters In Rodent Control
If you have mice or rats, the methods to control them are not the same, especially roof rats that tend to live higher up. Your efforts to get rid of each of these house pests will be most successful when you understand their behavior, food preferences, and habitats.
Mouse vs. Rat Behavior
One of the most important differences in behavior between mice and rats is that mice are curious and rats are very cautious.
- Cautious rats: Rats are very careful and will choose to avoid new things in their path until they have had time to get used to them being there. Because of this, you should place unset traps in the rat’s path before putting set rat traps there.
- Curious mice: Mice are very curious and will investigate anything new. So you have to do just the opposite for them: set the trap right in its path. In fact, if you do not catch a mouse in the first few days, the trap is probably in the wrong place and should be moved.
Physical Characteristics
There are over 70 species of mice and rats widely distributed across North America. The house mouse (Mus musculus), Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) and roof rat (Rattus rattus) species are in the Muridae family, which is the largest family of rodents and mammals in the world.
- House mouse: Small head, small feet, pointed snout, large ears with some hair. These mice have a light brown body with some gray shading and a dark tail. Adults weigh 0.5 ounces (15 grams). The mice droppings are shaped like rods.
- Norway rat: Heavy and thick body, blunt snout, and short ears with dark hair. These rats have a brown body with black shading and a shaggy coat. Their tails are dark on top and pale underneath. Adults weigh 11 ounces (300 grams). Their droppings are shaped like capsules.
- Roof rat: Light and slender body, pointed snout, large ears with no hair. These rats have a gray body with black shading and a smooth coat and a dark tail. Adults weigh 7 ounces (200 grams). Their droppings are shaped like spindles.
Mice Habitat and Breeding
Mice prefer to eat cereal grains and plants, but they will feed on almost anything. A mouse will build its nest in a hidden area near a food source. It will use just about any soft material or finely shredded paper to build its nest.
In one year, one female mouse can breed up to eight litters of five to six babies, and these offspring can begin to reproduce in as little as six weeks. Mice usually live for about 12-18 months.
Mice Movement
Mice can stand up on their hind legs when supported by their tails. They do this to eat, fight, or figure out where they are. Mice are excellent jumpers, swimmers, and climbers. They can even climb up rough, vertical surfaces. They can jump 13 inches high and run along wires, cables, and ropes. Mice are fast runners. Moving on all four legs, they hold their tail up straight for balance. But if they are frightened, they will just run straight out.
Mice are nocturnal and most active from dusk until dawn. They do not like bright lights but will sometimes come out during the day looking for food or if their nest is disturbed. A mouse can slip through 1/4-inch holes and gaps.
Mice Facts
- Mice are afraid of rats, because rats will kill and eat mice. Rat odor can be a strong deterrent to mice and affect their behavior.
- Mice have a musky odor.
- Mice are color blind, but their other senses — hearing, smell, taste, and touch — are sharp.
- Mice can be found indoors and outdoors including cities and rural areas.
- Signs of mice presence include droppings, gnawing marks, and tracks.
Rat Habitats and Breeding
Rats will eat nearly anything, but they prefer fresh grain and meat. Rats need 1/2 to one ounce of fluid each day. If rats do not get this in the food they eat, they have to find water. Unlike mice, which rarely burrow, rats will dig under buildings, along fences, and under plants and debris. The Norway rat lives mostly in burrows while the roof rat nests in walls, attics, and trees.
A female Norway rat can have seven litters of up to 12 young per year. These rats can start to breed by the time they are three months old. Rats breed primarily in the spring. Rats live for about two years in the wild. The roof rat has smaller litters of up to eight young and can have six litters per year.
Rat Movement
Rats can enter a building through a hole as small as 1/2 inch in diameter. They are strong swimmers, so, rats will live in sewers and can enter buildings through broken drains or toilets. A rat will climb to get to the food, water, or shelter. Rats follow regular routines and paths each day. If new objects are set in its path, it will do whatever it can to avoid it. Rats usually stay within 300 feet of their nest or burrow.
Rat Facts
- Signs of a rat infestation are droppings, gnawing marks, tracks, runways, and burrows.
- Like mice, rats are nocturnal and have very poor eyesight but have very strong senses of smell, taste, and hearing.
- Compared to mice, rats are much larger, have coarser fur, and have proportionately larger heads and feet.
- The most common rat species in the U.S. are the Norway rat and the roof rat. These two do not get along and will fight each other to the death. The larger Norway rat usually wins.
- Norway rats tend to live in lower floors of buildings and roof rats will live on the upper floors, so they can both infest the same building at one time.
How Do You Keep Mice Out Of The House?
Mice can be deterred from entering your home by keeping food and paper items in plastic storage containers and fixing any gaps or crevices around doors, windows, foundations, and where wiring or pipes enter the home. Keep your home clean and free of any boxes or clutter, and trim any bushes or trees that are near your home.
Are You Finding Shredded Paper, Small Black Droppings & Other Signs Of Nesting?
If you encounter shredded paper, you likely have found a mouse nest. A mouse will build its nest from just about any soft material or finely shredded paper. And the little black “rice” is most likely mouse droppings – actually, I think that they are smaller than a grain of rice.
What Do Mice Eat?
Mice most prefer to eat cereal grains and plants, but they will feed on almost anything. They are very commonly drawn to dried (and bagged) stored food, including pet food. Please don’t leave your pet’s food and water out at night. It will only contribute to your rodent problem.
How Long Do Mice Live?
A mouse in a controlled environment like your house or business can live up to two years or more.
Getting Rid Of Mice
You will NEVER get rid of mice, rats or other rodents in your home or business unless you follow these steps:
- Get rid of the current mouse or rat population. This can be accomplished by trapping or through the proper use of rodenticides. And …
- Locate and seal all entry points used by mice or rats. Stay away from expansion foam, it doesn’t work and rodents can chew right threw it.
Still need help? Give us a call. We are your local mice, rat and rodent expert exterminators.
What Can I Do To Get Rid Of Mice In My Home?
There are a number of methods of control mice, including traps, baits, rodenticides, and hiring a professional pest control company. However, trapping is generally the best and safest method for homeowners. Traps can be used to kill the mice, or they can contain the animals for relocation.
In addition to trapping, it’s a good idea to exclude mice from the home by sealing openings around pipes, roof vents, and other potential entry points. Keeping a few traps set in likely nesting areas or entry points are a good way to determine if you have a mouse problem before the infestation gets really bad.
What Attracts Mice To Your House?
When it comes to food, mice love cereal and other grains, pet food, sweets, grease, and bird seed, among other items. On the non-food front, they are attracted to books, paper, cloth, toilet paper, insulation, and dryer lint.
Where Should You Set Mouse Traps?
Mouse traps should be placed where the mice are most active – look for the signs. If you have found any signs of mice—shredded paper or cloth, droppings, urine stains, and gnawed items—place the traps in those areas. Traps are available from home and garden stores or even some grocery stores. Many can be reused, while others are intended to hide the trapped mouse from view and be used only once.
Why Are My Mouse Traps Not Catching Mice?
Mice are very curious and will investigate new things in their environment. So if mice are not caught within the first few days of trap placement, the trap (or mouse bait) is probably in the wrong place and should be moved. Place the trap where any signs of mice are seen or where food or water is available. Traps should always be placed perpendicular to walls.
What Is The Best Bait To Use In Mouse Traps?
Contrary to popular belief, cheese is not the best bait to use in traps. Peanut butter can be very attractive to mice, but it needs to be replaced if it gets too dry or hard. Other good options are bacon, nuts, dried food, and sticky candies. The bait should be securely attached to the trap trigger (pan or platform), so the rodent can’t simply pick it off and walk away. Often, a small amount of peanut butter worked into the crevices or cup of a trap is the most effective bait. Remember, less (bait) is best. Mice are attracted to the smell and will have to work to get the bait, setting off the trap.
Are There Smells That Mice Don’t Like?
I’ve had several customers claim that mice do not like the smell of peppermint, cayenne pepper, and cloves. And that these odors can help keep mice away from your home. I’ve never found that to be true, and research does not support this claim.
Why Am I Not Seeing Any Mice, Only Their Sign?
Mice are nocturnal, so they’re most active between dusk and dawn. They don’t usually like bright lights, but a mouse might sometimes be seen during the day – this is often an indication of a severe mouse infestation.
How Often Do Mice Reproduce?
In a single year, one female mouse can produce up to eight litters of five to six young. These 40+ offspring can begin to reproduce themselves in as little as six weeks. So within months, you could have a huge mouse population.
How Do Mice Get Inside A Home Or Business?
A mouse can enter through holes and gaps as small as 1/4 inch, or roughly the size of a pencil. And if an opening is not big enough to squeeze through, the mouse can gnaw it until it is big enough. Mice also can jump 13 inches high and can run along wires, cables, and ropes. They are excellent jumpers, swimmers, and climbers and can scale textured and vertical surfaces.
Our Service Areas for Mice Removal & Mouse Control in Virginia
Virginia Professional Wildlife Removal Services is a full-service animal wildlife trapping, animal removal, animal capture, pest control, animal control, and wildlife management company serving counties, cities, towns and communities throughout Virginia. We provide residential, commercial, and industrial animal removal, animal control, animal trapping, animal capture, pest control and wildlife management services in Afton, Albemarle County, Alexandria, Amelia County, Annandale, Arlington, Ashburn, Ashland, Barboursville, Bellwood, Belmont, Bensley, Bermuda Hundred, Bon Air, Boyd Tavern, Brandermill, Bumpass, Burke, Central VA, Centreville, Chamberlain, Charlottesville, Chesapeake, Chester, Chesterfield County, Colonial Heights, Crozet, Cuckoo, CVille, Dale City, Doswell, Dumbarton, Earlysville, East Highland Park, Enon, Ettrick, Fairfax, Fair Oaks, Ferncliff, Fluvanna County, Fredericksburg, Genito, Glen Allen, Glenora, Goochland County, Gordonsville, Gum Spring, Hadensville, Hampton, Hampton Park, Hanover County, Harrisonburg, Harrogate, Hening, Henrico County, Highland Springs, Hopewell, Innsbrook, Jefferson Davis, Kents Store, Keswick, Lake Anna, Lake Monticello, Lake Ridge, Lakeside, Laurel, Leesburg, Lewiston, Lignum, Locust Grove, Louisa County, Maidens, Manakin, Manakin-Sabot, Manassas, Manchester, McLean, Montrose, Motoaca, Meadowbrook, Mechanicsville, Midlothian, Mineral, Moseley, Newport News, Norfolk, North Courthouse, North Garden, Oilville, Orange County, Palmyra, Pantops, Petersburg, Portsmouth, Powhatan County, Reams, Reston, Richmond, Richmond County, Robious, Rockville, Rockwood, RVA, Salisbury, Sandston, Sandy Hook, Scottsville, Shannon Hill, Short Pump, South Rockwood, Spring Run, Staunton, Stoney Point, Suffolk, Tidewater, Troy, Tuckahoe, Va, Varina, Virginia, Virginia Beach, Waynesboro, Williamsburg, Winchester, Winterpock, Woodlake, Wyndham, and the surrounding areas of Virginia.
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Please read our article that contains additional information on How To Prevent Mice Problems
You may also like this article, Where to Put Traps and Other Facts to Help You Catch Rats from The Spruce.com