Mouse Control in Downers Grove, IL

Signs You Have Mice

Mice hide well, but they leave clues.

• Small dark droppings, about the size of a grain of rice, in cupboards, drawers and along walls
• Scratching or squeaking in walls, ceilings or the attic, mostly at night
• Chewed food packages, cardboard or wires
• Nests made of shredded paper, fabric or insulation
• Greasy rub marks along baseboards and walls
• A stale, musky smell in closed spaces
• Pets that stare at or paw at one spot on the wall

If you see one mouse, there are usually more. Mice breed fast, and a small group can grow into a large one in a few months.

Why Mice Get Into Downers Grove Homes

Mice want three things: warmth, food and shelter. When Illinois temperatures drop in fall, they look for a way inside. The first frost usually arrives in mid-to-late October, so sealing gaps before then can help.

Homes in Downers Grove give them plenty of choices. Older foundations can have cracks and gaps. Attached garages, basements and crawl spaces are easy to reach. Mature trees and wooded lots give mice cover close to the house. The typical local home was built around 1974, so openings around older foundations and brick, vinyl or aluminum exteriors are worth checking carefully.

A mouse can squeeze through a gap about a quarter inch wide. That is smaller than most people expect. Gaps around pipes, dryer vents, garage door edges and utility lines are common entry points.

How We Get Rid of Mice

1. Inspection. We check the outside and inside of your home. We look for droppings, rub marks, nests and every gap a mouse could use.

2. Removal. We use traps and other methods placed where mice travel. We choose the method based on what we find and whether you have pets or children at home.

3. Sealing entry points. Removal alone does not fix the problem. If the gaps stay open, new mice will move in. We seal the openings with materials mice cannot chew through.

4. Follow up. Most mouse problems need more than one visit. We check the traps, confirm activity has stopped and tell you what to do next.

Common Entry Points We Check

• Gaps around pipes and utility lines
• Cracks in the foundation
• Garage door edges and bottom seals
• Dryer vents and exhaust vents
• Gaps around windows and doors
• Attic vents and roof edges
• Crawl space openings
• Gaps where cables enter the house

Mistakes That Keep Mice Around

Setting a few traps and stopping there. Traps catch some mice, but if the entry points stay open, more will come.

Using poison inside walls. A mouse that eats poison can die in a wall or the attic. That leads to a strong smell that can last for weeks. Poison can also be risky around pets and children.

Only using glue boards. These can catch mice, but they do not stop the source of the problem.

Leaving food out. Pet food, bird seed and open pantry items keep mice coming back.

Why Mice Are More Than a Nuisance

Mice leave droppings and urine that can spread germs and set off allergies. They chew on wires, and chewed wiring can be a fire risk. They also damage insulation, boxes and stored items, and they can contaminate food.

The sooner you deal with them, the less damage they cause.

Tips to Help Prevent Mice

• Store food, including pet food, in sealed containers
• Clean up crumbs and spills quickly
• Keep garbage cans closed and away from the house
• Trim bushes and tree branches back from the walls and roof
• Store firewood away from the house
• Keep the garage and basement free of clutter
• Fix leaky pipes and outdoor faucets

Mouse Control Across Downers Grove

We treat mice in homes and businesses throughout Downers Grove, including ZIP codes 60515 and 60516, and in nearby towns such as Lisle, Woodridge, Westmont and Darien. If you are close by, call us anyway.