It can increase rodent movement nearby, but harvesting a field does not automatically cause mice to infest surrounding homes.
Rodents can live well in crop fields because there is no shortage of food and cover for them. But the trouble is that crops must eventually be harvested, and when that happens, they’re out of food and out of a home. They have to improvise.
When vegetation is gone and machinery starts disturbing hiding places, mice go from the field to other areas. Sometimes that means heading into a house, garage, shed, barn, or other structure if you’re unlucky. It doesn’t help that fall harvest overlaps with cooler weather in Northwest Indiana which is exactly when rodents would start heading inside in the first place.
Still, your house needs to give rodents a way in. So if you’re looking for a way to better prevent rodents from getting inside, inspect foundations, garage doors, exterior doors, vents, siding transitions, and utility penetrations for small openings. For those that get inside still, it’s worth not leaving food around for them, which means putting bird seed, pet food, livestock feed, spilled grain, and trash in tight containers.
Inside, watch for droppings, gnawing, damaged bags, or shredded nesting material. A mouse sighting shortly after harvest does not prove exactly where it came from. Still, if you see a mouse or any of these signs, it’s likely you have an infestation. In that case, it’s best to call a professional who can help clear out the rodents first and then seal up potential entry points second.
If mice are active around or getting into your Northwest Indiana property, Mosquito Squad of Northwest Indiana can help identify rodent activity and determine an appropriate control approach. Call (219) 402-3344 or request a free quote online.
