House Mice
What do house mice look like?
House mice are typically dusty gray with cream-colored bellies. Fur color varies from light brown to dark gray. House mice have four legs and a round shaped body. Their muzzles are pointed, and their ears are large with some hair. House mice range from 2.5 to 3.75 inches long. Their tails are usually 2.75 to 4 inches long with fine hairs on them. Their droppings are comparable to a grain of rice in size.
Are house mice dangerous?
House mice have been implicated in the spread of salmonella through their feces. Humans can become ill by consuming salmonella contaminated food. House mice may also spread rat bite fever, although this is uncommon. Humans can catch this bacteria-borne infectious disease through contact with a dead mouse or by consuming food contaminated by mouse feces. Micro droplets of mouse urine can cause allergies in children. Inhaling dust that contains dried feces may cause allergies or asthma flare ups.
What do house mice do?
House mice are very social. They organize themselves in hierarchies with one male dominating lower-ranking males and a large number of females in a given territory. The size of territories varies but is often no larger than 4-5 feet from their nest. The size of the territory is based on the availability of food and water. They prefer to nest in dark, secluded areas and will build nests out of paper products, cotton, packing materials, wall insulation, and fabrics. Are very inquisitive and tend to curiously investigate changes in their habitats.
What is the life cycle of house mice?
The gestation period is about 19–21 days, and they give birth to a litter of 3–14 young (average six to eight). One female can have 5 to 10 litters per year, so their population can increase very quickly. Breeding occurs throughout the year. However, animals living in the wild do not reproduce in the colder months, even though they do not hibernate.
Where can I locate these rodents in my home?
- Crawlspaces
- Attics
- Garages
- Enclosed Patios
- Kitchen cabinets
- Under furniture
- Basements
- Vehicles
What should I do?
Most effective solution for mice is the implementation of an integrated pest management program (IPM). This includes but is not limited to the use of pest exclusion inside and outside of the home, cutting back foliage near structural foundations, consistent trapping within target areas, and the addition of artificial treatments around structures.