Know how to spot signs of mouse infestation throughout the year

Find out how seasonal changes influence mouse and rat infestations, and learn how to identify warning signs to effectively protect your home all year round.

Montreal’s varied climate favors the appearance of various species of rodents, including mice and rats. Understanding how climate change affects these pests can help residents opt for effective year-round measures.

Signs of infestation to look for in spring

When spring arrives, the rise in temperature stimulates the activity of small rodents. Mice and rats, which have taken refuge indoors during the cold season, start actively exploring their outdoor environment. The aim is to find nesting sites and food sources.

Now is the time to look for the following traces in your home or warehouse:

  • rodent droppings (especially in food storage areas);
  • scratching noises in the attic or walls.
  • Bite marks on electrical cables, skirting boards or other surfaces
    on wooden surfaces.

Mouse infestation indicators in summer

During the hot and sometimes humid summer months, the number of unwanted rodents tends to increase. Milder weather conditions become more conducive to their reproduction, which can lead to an increase in the number of mice or rats. The signs of a mouse infestation are generally :

  • the increasing presence of these rodents in parks, gardens and/or near garbage cans.
  • damage caused by these pests to outdoor structures and crops.

Another clue: when mice communicate with each other, you can hear high-pitched squeals. Especially when they feel threatened.

Rodents in autumn

With the onset of autumn, rodents begin to prepare for the colder months. Many try to find warm, isolated shelters. Buildings and homes are their preferred targets. In the areas they infest, you’ll notice a musky odor of urine. The presence of small, dark droppings and damage to chewed objects or gnawed threads should also be monitored.

During the winter

When temperatures drop significantly, these pests slip into all the warm spaces that can be found in warehouses, homes and even abandoned buildings. Even a badly damaged sewer pipe can become an interesting shelter for mice. Traces of their passage in the snow or scratches on the ice around the foundations can sometimes be seen. Inside homes, scratching noises, especially at night, are a sign of rodents in the attic, cellar or walls. In a dusty space, you may notice small paw prints.

The importance of reacting quickly

The presence of mice is a source of material and health risks. In fact, they can spread major pathologies such as salmonellosis, leptospirosis and hantavirus. These diseases affect both humans and pets. As a preventive measure, make sure your home is well protected against intrusion by mice and rats. Plug any inlets around windows, doors, foundations and cracks in walls. The sooner you react to the signs of these pests, the sooner the problem will be solved.

Pro tip:

An orderly, clean environment won’t attract rodent pests. Also avoid making food sources easily accessible to them. A mouse can squeeze into a space as small as a quarter.

The solution to rodent infestations in Montreal

To solve the problem of rodents invading your home or workplace, call in a rat or mouse exterminator! This specialist has all the experience and know-how to ensure your peace of mind. If you’re looking for an exterminator in Montreal, Les Exterminateurs Associés has been your reference for infestation control since 1972. We also serve the South Shore and Laval.

As soon as you call us or leave a message on the form on our website, a mouse exterminator will come to your home to deal with the situation quickly and confidentially.