If you suspect that you have a mouse infestation in the home, and you call over a pest control pro, the first thing he will do is perform an inspection. The inspection process serves multiple purposes, and it can be performed as part of a larger control procedure, or as a stand-alone procedure to assess any pest risks in your home. In this article, we’re going to take a look at how a mouse inspection procedure is performed.
The goals of the inspection process
Different companies will approach the inspection process in different ways, but they will generally be interested in four things: how the infestation started, the species that is responsible, the location of the nests, and the main areas of activity.
Identifying how the infestation started can help prevent future infestation. In order to do this, the pro will begin by inspecting the exterior of the home to find cracks or holes that the mice may have used to enter the home. Some companies will offer exclusion as well as control services, and as part of the exclusion services, these holes will be sealed.
Then, the pro will try to identify the species responsible. This is usually done by detecting droppings. Mice will leave droppings in areas of high activity, and these areas are usually the same across infestations. A pro will know which areas of the home to check in order to find the droppings, and once detected, the droppings will indicate if you are dealing with a mouse or a rat infestation. The droppings will also indicate areas of high activity, and knowing where these areas are located is important for trap or poison placement.
Finally, the pro will try to locate the nest. Sometimes, the best way to remove an infestation is to place traps and poisons between the nest and the areas of high activity, so knowing where these areas are located will help determine the control strategy.
The control process
After the inspection is over, the pro will discuss with you the results and the options that you have at your disposal. You may be dealing with a small infestation that simply requires traps to be removed, or you may have a large mouse population in your home that will require a more extensive and complex control process. If you would like to know more about mouse inspection or control procedures, or if you would like to schedule an appointment for an inspection, contact us today.