Edmonton's mouse population exploding, says exterminator

If youve noticed an influx of mice or theirdroppings in your house already this fall, youre not the only one.

As temperatures have cooled, the tiny rodents have been popping up across the city in numbers much higher than seen in recent years.

Some exterminators say they are seeing double the number of mouse calls they received at this time last year.

People panic when they see them crawling when they're watching a movie at home, said Jay Harlow, the owner of Harlow Pest Control.

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Harlow blamesincreasing urban sprawl for the mouse explosion and he cautions it is rarely ever just one mouse.

For every mouse you spot in your home, Harlow estimates there might be up to 150 more.

His best advice to those hoping to avoid being overrun, is to seal up any gaps the critters might use to get into your house.

Anything the size of a pen they can crawl through, he said.

Other ways to mouse-proof your house:

• Block possibly entry paths with fine copper mesh
• Set snap traps
• Keep grass cut short around house so theres nowhere for mice to hide
• Dont store anything within 5 metres of your house
• Ensure garbage can lids are firmly in place

If handling dead mice or their droppings, Alberta Health Services recommends donning rubber gloves and a face mask.

As for when these steps should be taken, Harlow said the time is now.

You need to do it before they breed like crazy.