Mice in Nursing Homes?

Few things are more unsettling than seeing a mouse dart across the floor—except when that floor belongs to your Nana’s room at her nursing home. These places are meant to be safe havens for our elders who rely on them for medical care and peace of mind. Witnessing mice in nursing homes scurry about, no matter which room they’re in, is one of the least peaceful things imaginable. It becomes a major concern for the patients and their families, AND for those managing the day to day care for some of our country’s most vulnerable residents.

The presence of mice in nursing homes and senior living facilities doesn’t just challenge the issue of cleanliness, but it also poses a genuine threat to the health and safety of all who live and work there. If you are running a nursing home or medical facility, you may feel like your options are limited when treating a mouse problem. But that’s why our Kapture experts are here. We know how to treat mice in all conditions, including those required by medical facilities. We’re more than happy to help determine the scope of your issue and how to solve it.

Signs You Have a Mouse Problem

In a nursing home or other medical organization, maintaining a clean and safe environment is critical—not just for comfort, but for health purposes and compliance with state and federal regulations. Mice in nursing homes can jeopardize that environment by spreading disease and can even cause structural damage. Educating yourself on the early signs of a mouse problem is key to protecting your patients and staff.

One of the first indicators of a mouse infestation is the presence of droppings. Mouse droppings are small, dark, and pellet-shaped. You will often find them along walls, behind furniture, in kitchen areas, or near food storage. Mice in nursing homes don’t have to be a major infestation, even a small amount should be cause for concern. Mice can contaminate surfaces and food with harmful pathogens like Salmonella and hantavirus.

Another telltale sign of mice in nursing homes and other commercial buildings is noise in the walls. Mice are nocturnal and may be heard scratching, gnawing, or scurrying in the walls, ceilings, or under floorboards. Nighttime and other quiet hours are when you will likely hear their activity. Not only are the mice in your facility a sanitary issue, but could also disturb residents’ sleep.

Mice build nests using shredded paper, insulation, fabric, or other soft materials. Often found in storage areas, closets, or behind appliances, their nests are a red flag that a colony of mice is hiding in plain sight.

Mice in nursing homes—or any place for that matter—stink. A strong, musty, ammonia-like smell can indicate a mice infestation. This scent comes from their urine and is often strongest where nests are located.

If anyone reports seeing mice in your facility, even if it’s just one mouse, you should pay attention. Where there is one mouse, there are usually many mice. They reproduce quickly, and a small problem can become a full infestation in a matter of weeks.

It’s Important To Get Rid of Mice ASAP

No one likes to see disease-ridden mice around. At all. But they especially don’t want to see them when visiting their loved ones in any type of medical facility.

For nursing homes, schools, medical facilities, and the like this is DANGEROUS. When running any of these types of facilities you are doing your best to keep everyone in there as safe as possible. Keeping mice out is another way to keep everyone safe.

It may feel frustrating knowing that you have been working your hardest to keep the mice in your nursing home or facility out—but they keep coming back. You don’t have to live with a mouse infestation.

Why Aren’t My Current Mouse Traps Working?

Just because your current traps aren’t working doesn’t mean that the mice can’t be caught at all. It means that the traps aren’t placed properly. In order to catch the mice in nursing homes and other buildings, your pest control company needs to know exactly where they are nesting.

Once you have figured out where they are nesting, you want to bait and trap near those locations. Otherwise, they won’t be caught. Some common places for mice to make their nests are near pipes. They like to make their way into the gaps between where the pipes and walls meet. Many times in medical facilities, the gaps around these pipes aren’t sealed well and that’s how the mice in nursing homes, etc. are making their way around the entire facility.

Important Note: Mice can squeeze through openings that are much smaller than you would ever think possible. Don’t ignore those tiny cracks and crevices. It may be a good idea to work with your facility manager alongside your pest control company to fill in any holes and gaps to keep the mice from making their way in.

The big takeaway here is that traps are very capable of working, but the placement is key. Once you place your traps right, you could very well take care of your mouse problem. You are not helpless. Just because you haven’t found success doesn’t mean you can’t.