The mouse ran up the clock and then under the stove and who knows where else it might be hiding? Having a mouse in the house is about more than just the “ick” factor, it is a health problem and a structural issue. They really do chew electrical wires and wreak havoc with insulation; they also carry several diseases, and they are usually never alone.

As we prepare for the upcoming indoor months, we should realize that neighborhood rodents, especially here in rural Maine, are doing the same. The best advice is to keep them out before they move in. 

Now is the time to do an outdoor inspection of your home and outbuildings to identify and seal up likely entry spots. Keep in mind that mice can fit through a hole the size of a dime and rats only need a quarter-sized hole. Foundation cracks, pipes, vents and around windows are likely entry points, as are garages, especially if you leave the doors up periodically. Look for droppings and gnaw marks to identify and seal up likely entries. Always wear gloves and a mask if you discover tell-tale signs, and do not vacuum or sweep up feces or urine or touch it with your bare hands. (More on handling safety below.) Place some preventative outdoor traps unless you have young children.

Experts say that not only do mice survive better indoors during cold months, they actually reproduce 400% faster than they do in outdoor environments. So this time of year they are looking for a comfy maternity ward. In fact, research shows that indoor fall mice have 6-8 babies per litter compared to 3-4 for outdoor mamas. Warmer indoor temperatures create ideal breeding conditions, which trigger accelerated reproduction. Female mice can become pregnant again within 24 hours of giving birth during fall months. A single indoor female mouse can produce up to 10 litters per year.

Mice carry and spread several serious bacterial, viral or parasitic diseases (see Sidebar). Disease transmission can occur from contact with their urine or feces and then touching your nose, eyes or mouth, or by breathing dust stirred up from sweeping or by disturbing old nesting material or insulation. Illness can also be caused by eating contaminated food, drinking unclean water or from a scratch or bite from a once wild mouse.

These diseases can be contracted while trying to clean up an infestation. Wearing gloves is a must, as are cleaning with bleach and water (9 parts to 1 part bleach) and good ventilation. Particles from dried feces can become airborne and then inhaled. Never use your vacuum or a broom for that reason. For more detailed safety precautions on the cleanup of infected furniture, rugs, clothing, insulation and more, visit the CDC Rodent Control Guide. The website also provides excellent advice on how to seal entry points around your home.