The Not So Nice Regarding Mice

Some think they are cute, some even have them as pets, but if you have had a mouse infestation in your home, you probably feel slightly different about them.

The house mouse is considered one of the most troublesome pests in the United States. Besides causing damage in structures, they also can carry disease and contaminate food sources.

You will know you have a mouse infestation by some pretty evident signs. These signs include droppings, signs of gnawing, tracks, bedding materials near nesting sites, and a musky odor. Mice can be seen mostly at night, but during the daytime as well.

Mice have some pretty impressive capabilities, such as the ability to fit into a ¼ inch crack and they can walk on cables and ropes. Mice can also jump 13 inches from the floor upward onto a flat surface.

Here are some more facts about the common house mouse:

Appearance:

The house mouse is small and slender, 3 to 4 inches long, with large ears, small eyes and a pointed nose. Their coloring can be light brown or light gray to black. Their droppings are rod-shaped.

Habit:

The house mouse can be found nesting in fields and grassy and wooded areas, but will also nest within structures such as homes, especially once temperatures drop. They establish a "territory" near food sources that are generally 10 to 30 feet from their nest. They are inquisitive, but also very wary. They are also excellent climbers.

Diet:

The house mouse prefers seeds and nuts, but will eat almost anything available.

Reproduction:

House mice are prolific breeders by two months of age. They can have upwards of 5-10 litters per year, with four to seven young per litter. The life span of a mouse is about 9 to 12 months.

To prevent a mouse infestation good sanitation and mouse-proof construction are the most important methods. It’s best to keep food put away when not in use, keep garbage areas cleaned up, and plug up any entry holes that mice may be using to get in.

Image by NPMA