As the weather gets colder and the days grow short, mice will try to make their way indoors in search of food, water, and a quiet place to build their nests. Unfortunately, your commercial space is a prime target. That’s why we’ve prepared our office winter pest control guide on how to avoid a mouse infestation in the workplace, how to spot the signs, and what to do if you see rodents running around your floors.
Why Do Mice Target Commercial Spaces?
Mice are opportunistic pests, and commercial spaces like offices, restaurants, and grocery stores provide an abundance of resources. Large buildings, especially offices with cafeterias, contain a wide selection of food sources in break rooms, storage areas, or employee desks.
Commercial properties also often have longer periods of inactivity outside of regular business hours, giving rodents uninterrupted access to roam and nest undisturbed. This makes the pest problem particularly serious for businesses that deal in food service or store perishable goods. Non-food-related businesses can fall victim however as mice look for safe, warm spaces to escape the cold.
How To Keep Mice Away From Your Small Business
While rodent prevention tips like sealing away food waste and cleaning up crumbs can help discourage mice at home, larger spaces will need a different approach to pest control. Let’s start with how to keep these pests out of your small business commercial space.
The first step in avoiding rodents in your business is to restrict any potential entry points. Seal any cracks or crevices with caulking or steel wool, as mice can squeeze through even the tiniest openings. As we mentioned earlier, promptly remove all food waste, even if it is just a few crumbs. Once mice know that your business has food, they’ll waste no time setting up shop.
How To Keep Mice Away From Your Office Space
Larger office spaces require even more rodent control than small businesses. With multiple rooms, hallways, and hidden areas, mice can easily go unnoticed for extended periods. Installing door sweeps on exterior doors and proper weather stripping around windows will help keep mice out, but it is not a guaranteed solution. Remember that larger spaces require more thorough monitoring and pest control efforts from professionals, and all it takes is a single mouse to start an infestation.
Another concern in office environments is human activity. While you may have strict cleaning protocols in place, mice may still be drawn to food left behind in employees’ desks or break rooms.
We recommend establishing policies that encourage employees to store food in sealed containers and clean up after themselves without entirely restricting their ability to snack at work. Designated eating areas can limit potential infestation sites and opting for mouse-proof trash bins can help minimize the risk of attracting pests.
Top 3 Rodent Prevention Tips
- When setting traps, focus on areas where mice are likely to travel, such as along walls, behind appliances, and in dark corners.
- Know the difference between rat and mouse traps. Mouse traps are smaller than rat traps, and using the correct size creates a more effective catch. Mice are more likely to trigger traps designed for their size, while rat traps may be too large and inefficient.
- Watch for signs of infestation. Keep an eye out for droppings, gnawed materials, or foul odors, as these are common signs of mice. Also, look for greasy smudge marks along walls and entry points where rodents frequently travel.
Request Your Free Rodent Control Quote Today
If you suspect rodents have invaded your business or if you want to better prevent future issues, reach out to Dewey Pest and Termite Control for a free pest control quote.
Our expert technicians can help you enjoy peace of mind with industry-leading pest control and removal techniques. If mice do invade, we’ll be there to help, just like we have for countless California businesses for nearly a century.
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