Mice
Boot out unwanted pests from your home.
There are various steps you can take to prevent mice from entering your home or facility.
What risks do mice pose?
Rodent infestations can cause disease and costly damage to food. Mice carry bacteria that is easily spread by their urine and feces which may also carry Salmonella. In a year, a pair of mice can eat over 4 kilograms of food and leave about 36 000 droppings and contaminate about 10 times more food than they eat. Mice are also heavily infested with pests like lice, fleas, and mites, which can spread into your home or business.
How do I know if I have a problem?
- burrows – fresh digging around foundations
- gnaw marks – damage to food, food packaging, and property
- droppings – black, rice size droppings
- smudge marks – greasy film left by fur along walls
- sightings – dead or live mice
What steps can I take to prevent mice?
- Keep outside garbage areas clean.
- Store garbage in spill proof containers with tight fitting lids.
- Keep doors closed unless screened and ensure all entrances have weather stripping to prevent access.
- Check the perimeter for potential entry points and seal openings with coarse steel wool.
- Take time to check deliveries for signs of infestation; if any signs are observed do not accept the shipment.
- Store food in tightly sealed plastic or glass containers.
- Store all food 15 cm off the floor on shelves or racks for easy cleaning.
- Remove any and all available food and water sources.
- Keep your facility or home clean.
What should I do if I see evidence of mice?
If you are a tenant:
Report the problem to your landlord as soon as it is discovered so that they can bring in a licensed pest control company to address the issue. Ensure contaminated food is discarded and contaminated surfaces are cleaned and disinfected.
If you are a landlord, home or building owner:
Contact a licensed pest control company. Ensure contaminated food is discarded and contaminated surfaces are cleaned and disinfected.
Remember that an effective pest control program is essential to any food safety program.
For more information:
If you would like to speak to a public health inspector about a possible mouse infestation, you can submit your question or complaint electronically or call Public Health at 705.522.9200, ext. 464 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).
This item was last modified on April 18, 2019