One might assume that mice sleep comfortably throughout the winter, nestled underground amongst cozy nests of dead grass and leaves, but they happen to remain surprisingly active during the colder months. They are up and at ‘em, living off of stored food reserves built up during the warmer months, plus continuing to breed. They mostly like to stay outside, but a severe and prolonged stretch of harsh weather such as the one Calgary experienced in late December and early January is exactly what it takes to drive them indoors in search of more comfortable housing and a stable food source.
If you spot a mouse in your house, you can pretty much assume there are more. Mice are not solitary creatures, and they multiply fast. In three months, four mice can easily become 40. Act quickly to have them removed, as they can cause serious damage to your home.
What kind of damage can mice?
Mice damage can already be extensive before you even know they’re there. Not only will they start gnawing through your cupboards, books, boxes and bags to find food, they can even chew through insulation and electrical wiring. They also transmit a bacterium that can cause food poisoning and can spread diseases such as the Hantavirus, salmonellosis and listeria through their urine, droppings, saliva and nesting materials. If a group of mice manages to take up residence in your home for some time, the damage could be extensive enough to require a professional extermination and significant repair work, including the replacement of walls, floors, and ceilings.
Will my home insurance cover damage from mice?
In nearly all cases, the answer to this question is a definitive “no.” Home insurance will generally not cover mice damage, as pest control is considered part of regular everyday maintenance. Home insurance companies consider mouse or pest infestations preventable, and are often named as an exclusion on your policy. A home insurance company may consider paying out a claim for mice damage if the homeowner can prove the infestation is not their fault and the result of external circumstances, such as a derelict property nearby.
How to make your house less hospitable for mice
Mice love any kind of seed, and in Calgary they tend to hunt out bird and grass seed that hasn’t been properly secured. Keep these items in metal, glass, or heavy-duty plastic containers. Pet food is also often carelessly left out in homes, which mice are not picky enough to turn down as a free meal. Mice are also known to get into garbage, most specifically organic waste. If you have a backyard composting bin, don’t place fatty or oily food waste, eggs or milk products in it and keep it nice and moist. You may want to consider installing a heavy-duty mesh underneath to deter mice from burrowing in.
In your yard, piles of branches, leaves, and clutter provide the perfect hiding spaces for mice. Remove these, and also cut back any tall grass or weeds around the foundation.
Kitchen cleanliness is essential as well. All dry goods should be stored in secure containers and cupboards kept free of crumbs and leftover food.
Keep doors and windows well sealed, checking them often for potential entry points.
Ways to get rid of mice
Depending on the severity of your problem, you may want to try a few tried-and-true remedies for ridding your home of mice before calling an exterminator.
- Metal snap traps are most effective when baited, and experts say to earn trust by baiting them without setting them for a few days. You need a large number of traps for each entry point.
- Glue or sticky traps don’t necessarily have to be baited and can be slid into difficult-to-reach areas.
- Live traps are a humane option.
- Ultrasonic devices emit signals that mice don’t much like and can be used to move them towards where traps are set.
- If using poisoned bait, be very careful to read and follow the instructions closely.
When cleaning up after mice, wear a mask and rubber gloves. Lightly spray the droppings with bleach and water and lift them up with a paper towel. Wash the area and your hands thoroughly afterwards.
If all your efforts have failed and you are still seeing signs of mice damage, it’s time to call an exterminator. A team will come in, assess where pockets of mice exist, and then spray or set poison traps. Ensure the company you hire will handle all aspects of the clean up as well.
Questions about your home insurance? Contact Lane’s
Lane’s Insurance is a leading Alberta-based personal and commercial insurance brokerage. We work for you, not the insurance companies, and always have our clients’ best interests in mind. If you have any questions about your home insurance coverage or would like to hear about your options, contact us at:
- Our Calgary office
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