How Mice can Destroy Your Rug

Mice DamageMouse Damage and Your Fine Rug

Fine rugs are an investment many hope to pass down to their children and grandchildren. That’s why it’s so important to care for your rug properly. Improper storage can lead to disaster. Customers come to Behnam Rugs all the time with rugs that have damage caused by mice.

Is Damage Caused by Mice Fixable?

Yes, damage caused by mice can be fixed by the master weavers at Behnam Rugs. If your rug has holes in it made by small animals chewing, bring it to our experts for evaluation of the degree of damage. We also treat stains and odors with a traditional washing method utilizing enzymes and organic shampoos for odor elimination.

Mice love rugs because they can use the fibers to build their nests and chew to sharpen their teeth. They chew and tear indiscriminately, and can cause extensive damage quite quickly. Your gorgeous family heirloom can easily become mouse fodder if stored improperly.

This blog will explain how rodents damage rugs and gives a few tips on storing your rugs to avoid these pests.

When a mouse shreds a rug it is often creating nesting material, especially if the rug is rolled and has empty space in the middle. Mice love to use the dark, soft hiding place in the middle of rolled rugs for nesting. If your rug has been shredded for nesting material, that means a female mouse was damaging your rug. This is troubling because it indicates a pregnant mouse, which means more mice and more damage.

If you are unsure if you have a mouse problem, look for nests. Dark, warm spaces close to food and water are the best places to look. Nests are often in hidden areas like walls and underneath clutter. When a mouse is interrupted from building their nest because you have found it and disposed of it, the mouse will run away and build again.

Another indicator of these pests is spoor. Mice droppings are typically black and ¼ of an inch long depending on the size of the mouse. These droppings and urine can damage your rug and make it smell to high heaven. It is important to clean up droppings safely because of the risks of hantavirus and other illnesses. Always wear gloves when cleaning up droppings.

Spray the droppings first with hydrogen peroxide and then white vinegar to kill 99% of bacteria. Pick them up with a paper towel and throw them away. Then clean the area with disinfectant. Afterwards, wash your hands with soap and water.

So what should you do when you find a nest?

Once the mice are gone, burn the nest or dispose or it safely in some other manner. Then, clean out any available debris that a new nest could be created from. If you’re not confident in your removal methods, call a licensed pest control technician to do it for you.

Rodents are especially attracted to dirty rugs. That is why it’s so important to clean your rug professionally every three to five years. The dirt and fibers provide a nutritious, attractive meal to these pests.

Preventative measures can ensure that rodents don’t have access to your rugs. First, remove any food sources from the area around your rug (this is especially important for storage!). Clean, clean, clean the area. Make sure to get the dirt in the cracks and crannies. Seal openings that a mouse could get its head through. They only need about a ¼ of an inch wide opening.

If your rug is already damaged, or you know that mice have made it inside your home, traps and poison are the way to go. We recommend traps, as a poisoned mouse may crawl off and die somewhere hard to reach and make a stink. Make sure to check traps daily. Place the traps in strategic areas like known entry points 8 to 12 feet apart. When storing your rug, make sure that the rug is not resting on the floor. Keeping rugs elevated make it harder for these pests to make a meal or nest of your rug.

Mice store their food when you have an infestation. House mice are most active at night when the people of the house are sleeping. They have poor eyesight and are sensitive to bright lights. Instead of relying on their vision, they use their sense of touch and smell to find their way around, allowing them to navigate in the dark with ease. Be aware that anything made of plastic, paper, or cardboard can be chewed through easily.

Finally, call Behnam Rugs if your rug has been stained or damaged by mice.

We have seen lots of rugs get damaged by rodents when they are stored in rental storage facilities, especially ones near bodies of water. Rodents must have access to water and food such as human trash and food found in nature like nuts and seeds. If your rug needs attention due to mice damage, our skilled technicians will repair and wash your rug in no time!