What Damages do Mice cause in the Attic?

Mice are considered to be very notorious creatures for the extensive damage that they can cause in your house. What are some of the damages that these small animals can cause in your attic?



Chewing of electrical cables

This is perhaps the most distinctive behavior of mice and rats. Rats and mice have a tendency to be attracted to electrical wires regardless of whether they are carrying electric current or not. They normally chew through the rubber flaxes and then start chewing the wire itself. The good news is that not even the sharp teeth of mice can cut the electrical cables. In fact, the mice do not aim to cut the wires; they just need to chew on them for some time. Chewing on the wires makes their teeth stronger and also sharpens them. In addition, it also helps them control the size of their teeth. The electrical wires have been known to be adanger to young children since they could get electrocuted when they come into contact with them.

Destroying food materials

Mice, like all grain eaters, are one of the most prevalent menaces to grain farmers. Although not many people store food materials in the attic there are people who have improvised their attics as storage for various food stuffs. Mice are attracted to any type of grain and this would be their first stop depending on the type of grains stored there. They typically feed on large amounts of grain per day and could cause heavy losses in they remain unchecked.

Making holes in wooden beams

Mice are known to make holes in wooden walls to gain access to a room or a cupboard. As such, if the only suitable place for their habitat is your attic, then you can be assured that they will dig through the wooden boards within a matter of a few days. The problem with these holes is that they could make floors weaker, or give way for other animals to get into your house.

Discoloration of attic floors and walls

Mice droppings and urine are known to be very acidic. An example of an acid found in mice urine is urea. The acidic properties of the droppings and urine destroy the floor of an attic and even the walls. In addition, mice urine smells almost the same as human urine and this could mean a very bad odor coming emanating from your attics within a few days of infestation. The droppings can also be the breeding grounds of disease causing bacteria if they remain unchecked. It is also imperative to remember that mice die all the time and their rotting corpses could not only cause a bad smell and discoloration of floors, but also provide a breeding ground for worms.

Go back to the How to get rid of mice home page.

Read more about how to take care your mouse problem through the educational guides I wrote. Learn all About the House Mouse, how to remove a house mouse stuck in a garbage can, and the symptoms of a sick house mouse. Learn what wildlife rehabilitators do with mice and if you should ever Poison a House Mouse. Learn what mouse feces look like and the Diseases caused by mouse droppings. I can let you know the best bait to trap a house mouse and if a strobing light of high pitch sound deterrent machine will work against mice. Learn about the types of house mouse snap traps, what to do about Trap-Shy Mice, and if you should hire a Professional or Remove Mice Yourself.

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