Mice are a stressful household pest to manage, especially in multi-unit buildings. Property managers must quickly address the pest population, manage varying tenant schedules, and ensure the use of safe products and practices for everyone in the building. The faster you can handle a mouse infestation in an apartment complex, the less likely you’ll have to deal with an unmanageable problem down the road.
An unchecked mouse problem could leave your property damaged, unappealing, or even unlivable. If you’re facing a potential mouse problem in your apartment complex, read on to discover how to mitigate the problem and find a reliable solution.
Where do mice come from in an apartment building?
The most common way mice access apartment buildings is through open doors and windows. Because people use the entry points of multi-unit buildings frequently, mice have more chances to sneak in. They can also access apartment interiors through gaps, cracks, and holes in the halls and floors.
Mice are experts at squeezing through small openings, meaning they can often find their way through loose foundations, roof holes, crawl spaces, and heating and cooling systems. They can also travel from apartment to apartment through walls, vents, and ceilings.
Do mice carry diseases?
According to the CDC, mice are known to spread many diseases worldwide. They can spread disease to humans in many ways, including direct contact or through touching, inhaling, or ingesting their feces, urine, or saliva.
What are the signs of a mouse infestation in an apartment building?
Mice leave several detectable signs when they infest an area. These include:
- Strong, musky urine odor
- Dime-sized holes gnawed in walls, vents, papers, or other areas
- Oily rub marks along walls
- Nests of paper, ripped clothing, or string
- Droppings that look like dark grains of rice
Mice also tend to make identifiable noises such as squeaking and scratching. Another way to check is by watching the behavior of your pets. If your dog or cat stares at specific areas along the wall, digs near cracks or crevices, or brings you a dead mouse, it’s a strong indicator of a problem.
What are the best ways to get rid of mice in an apartment building?
Due to tenants’ different schedules and lifestyles, getting rid of mice in an apartment building can be difficult. However, communication and cleanliness are key. First, repair and seal any cracks in walls, ceilings, floors, and roofs as soon as you see them, as this will cut off access to the interior. Keeping shared spaces, hallways, and trash areas clean and free of food crumbs also reduces food sources for mice and discourages their presence.
To completely address a mouse infestation in an apartment complex, your best option is to hire a professional pest control company. They will assess the problem and create a plan for handling the current infestation safely and effectively.
How can you prevent mice from infesting an apartment complex?
Work with maintenance staff to create a routine for managing cracks in the foundation, holes in walls, or broken windows. Ensure this is done before winter since mice look for new places to stay warm during colder months.
Communicate openly with your tenants about how they can keep mice out with proper cleanliness practices and trash habits. Keeping spaces clean and free of clutter and managing food waste will help keep your apartment complex from becoming overrun with mice.
Pest control services
If you suspect a mouse problem in your apartment complex, the best way to handle the infestation quickly and efficiently is by hiring a professional pest control service like Hawx Pest Control. Our friendly and knowledgeable professionals will work with you to create a plan to address your problem and prevent it from happening again in the future. We offer safe and affordable extermination all year round with the latest tool and technologies. Call us today for a free estimate to get your pest problem under control.
