Insurance companies try to avoid giving insurance to people for something that happens a lot. They even have a special accountant called an actuary that mathematically establishes the likelihood of bad things happening to people so the insurance company knows what offers to avoid and what offers to give. Mouse and rodent infestations are perhaps their single biggest fear of most homeowners in North America and are also the most common infestation and are also one of the hardest to get rid of permanently. They specifically exclude it on all but the most premium contracts and refuse to offer it, no matter what you’re willing to pay. They would simply have to pay out too frequently and for too small an issue. When it comes to rodents, you’re on your own.
Rodent infestations are considered basic home upkeep for most insurance companies. Having mice is a sign to them that you do not take care of your home and that you would not be a good client. You are expected as a homeowner to handle your own pest problems either on your own or with the help of professionals. A leaky pipe that causes damage will be covered by insurance, but mice are not. You can easily prevent mice by acting with initiative. Inspect your home regularly for any sign of damage. Chew marks, new holes in corners or any sign that something has harmed or entered your home. The smell of urine and of damp fur is a big sign that you have a severe infestation. You can try to seal holes in your home, cracks in walls and anything bigger than a quarter because mice can compress their bodies and squeeze through very tight spaces, but this is redundant as they can just make new holes. However, sealing the holes on the outside of your home will be permanent and prevent them from entering in the first place. Having mice in your home is extremely dangerous. A chewed wire could cause your house to burn down. Do you have insurance for that? The fact it was a mouse could actually void your claim.
The way to keep them away is mostly preventative. If you do not have mice yet then you are in a good position to make it so you will never have them. Food is the first step. If you have food outside, a dirty BBQ or a bird feeder you must clean it well and take the feeder down because they attract mice. You will also want to store the food inside your home better. Cardboard is no defence against mice. Glass and metal are the best for storing food. Keeping food stored well, keeping it off your lawn and keeping the garbage stored in tight locked containers will do wonders for protecting your home from all kinds of rodents and wildlife. You can also trim your grass nice and short and keep gardens away from the house. Shrubs, bushes and flower gardens are a great place for mice to hide while they chew an entryway into your home. Doing all of these sounds like a lot of work, right? Well getting mice is much more work, more money and will result in a risk of damage and fire. They can also spread dangerous diseases, cause respiratory damage and even bite you. So do what you need to do to protect your family from mice or they will invade when you least expect it.
