One mouse running across your Phoenix kitchen floor may be more of an inconvenience than a threat, but ignoring that mouse can lead to a bill that can break the bank. Because of its perfect breeding climate year-round, mouse infestations are a challenge for Valley residents in Phoenix. One unwanted visitor can quickly become dozens after just weeks, creating structural issues and health problems that can lead to expensive repairs costing way more than a visit from a professional.
Timely rodent control in Phoenix is important to ensure your house remains mouse-free.
Why Does One Mouse Usually Mean More?
Mice are highly social and usually do not wander around solo, especially in the arid landscape of Phoenix, where food is limited. A lady mouse can have 10 litters in a year, and each litter can have 4-8 babies. Pest control statistics suggest that by the time you see one mouse, there are between 6 and 10 more hidden away in your wall cavities, roof voids, or garage.
The warm temperatures in Phoenix throughout the year mean mice are not subject to the winter population control that occurs in a more temperate climate. They reproduce on a never-ending cycle, making your home a mouse condo complex before you know it. According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, mice in places like Phoenix can increase their population by 300% every 30 days if the conditions are right, and your climate-controlled house happens to be right.
Hidden Costs of Ignoring One Mouse
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Property Damage to Insulation and Wiring
In the United States, mice cause approximately $20 billion in property damage every year. In Phoenix, those who have to use electricity are definitely experiencing soaring energy expenditures because 15-20% of power is lost to broken insulation. Rodents gnaw on electrical wiring, sparking fire hazards that can result in the loss of everything you have.
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Food Contamination and Waste
A single mouse will spoil 10 times the amount of food it consumes. When your pantry includes spoiled items, it is easy to pile up costs quickly, with Phoenix grocery costs already 8% higher than the national average. Mice have been shown to deposit 50-75 droppings per day on surfaces and in food stored in your house.
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HVAC System Damage
Phoenix depends heavily on the air conditioning system, and mice also take pleasure in making nests in ducts and air handlers. Damaged HVAC parts can cost anywhere from $500 to $3,000 to repair; this does not account for the higher utility costs due to system efficiency degradation, either.
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Health-Related Medical Expenses
Over 35 diseases that can be transmitted to people have been found in mice, including Hantavirus and Salmonella. Mozzarella-borne diseases are most costly in terms of medical treatment, potentially costing thousands, and the entire family, including children, can be affected.
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Structural Repairs
Mice constantly gnaw to keep their teeth from growing oversized, damaging drywall, baseboards, and wooden structures. Structural damage repair usually falls between $1,000 and $5,000, depending on the level of infestation.
When One Mouse Turns Into a Costly Home Invader
DIY traps and store-bought bait will catch one mouse, but they usually miss the nests, droppings, or hidden entry points that let the population continue to multiply. Desert mice, typical of those found living in Phoenix, are exceptionally skilled at eluding amateur control techniques. They build several nesting areas, and the tunnels of a nest can connect a location of your home with another. Green Mango Pest Control has noted that by the time DIY traps or bait are demonstrated not to be effective, the number of mice in the property may have quadrupled, and damage to the property has become systemic. Pest control professionals understand mice behavior and how to deal with it, given the unique climate and housing styles in the Phoenix area.
