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House Mouse
| Order / Family: | Rodentia / Muridae |
| Scientific Name: | Mus musculus |
House Mouse Identification
The house mouse is common in all parts of Canada and the U.S.A.. The house mouse is dusty grey in colour and measures from 110 to 150 mm in length with large ears and small eyes. The tail is usually the same length as the mouse. The house mouse is sometimes confused with the deer mouse which is pale grey to reddish brown in colour and has a bi-coloured tail, with a white underside.
House Mouse Habitat
Mice are nibblers and thus tend to make small holes or other slight damage in many places rather than a lot of damage at one place. The house mouse has a keen sense of touch, smell, and hearing. They can run, climb, jump and swim very well.
The house mouse is considered one of the major structural pests, causing serious economic loss, health hazards and an unsanitary environment.
House mice eat about the same food as humans, including cereals, seeds, fruits and vegetables and are especially fond of sweet liquids. Because they nibble, they may feed as often as 15 to 20 times each day consuming only a small amount of food each time.
House Mouse Life Cycle
The average lifespan of a mouse is 12 months. The young are born about 19 days after breeding and mature rapidly. A single female may have as many as eight litters per year, averaging five to six young each. By three months the young are independent and capable of reproduction. Mice can survive outdoors during the winter under certain conditions, but generally invade buildings when the weather turns cold.
House Mouse Prevention
Since the contributing factor to a mouse infestation is the presence of food, good housekeeping is essential. This includes the proper storage of foods in sealed jars or tins. In addition all refuse should be stored in containers with tight fitting lids. Seal all openings to the outside. Especially around doors and windows.
Your local Abell Pest Control office has products developed for the control of house mice. Depending on the severity of the infestation a single control measure may not be effective and an integrated program conducted by an Abell Service Technician will be required.
House Mouse Questions & Answers
Do house mice cause damage?
Yes. Mice cause extensive damage to houses, granaries, restaurants, bakeries; any place food is handled or stored. They will gnaw through wood to gain entrance into buildings. In constructing their nests, mice will destroy fabrics and leather goods and can cause fires by chewing through the insulation on electrical wires.
Are house mice hazardous to humans?
Yes. Mice contaminate food with their droppings and urine. They spread such diseases as salmonella bacteria (food poisoning), lepospirae (jaundice) and typhus. As well, they carry parasites such as fleas, round worms and mites. Deer mice are known to transmit Hantavirus, a virus that affects the respiratory system of humans.
When are mice most common?
Mice are year-round pests. Activity and indoor migration increases, as weather gets cooler.
When am I most likely to see mice?
Mice become active primarily during the evening and remain so until the middle of the night. If food is scarce or the infestation is large, they will be active during daylight hours.
Where do mice build nests?
Mice become active primarily during the evening and remain so until the middle of the night. If food is scarce or the infestation is large, they will be active during daylight hours.
Where do mice build nests?
Mice nest in any safe location close to food, preferring the spaces in double walls, above ceilings and floors and closed-in areas around counters. Noises made by their running, gnawing and scratching will provide clues to their actual location
How can I tell if I have an infestation of mice?
There are several ways that mice make their presence known. Mouse droppings near available food are the most common indication. Gnawed holes in bags and boxes containing food or garbage are also a sign of mouse activity.
Preparation Guidelines for a Mouse Treatment
- Eliminate any food source and plug any holes or openings where mice may gain entry to the home.
- If the mice are in the cupboards or closets, these areas should be cleared out so that control measures can be installed.
- Have children and pets out of the way when the service is being done.
- Abell Pest Control is very safety conscious, and may use glue boards, snap-traps, and live traps. These items are placed in areas that are as "out of the view" of residents as possible. If these devices are found, please do not move or touch them.
- If rodenticide bait is used, it is placed in locked stations that are secured to the floor surface (with two sided tape), in areas that are as inaccessible to children as possible. Please do not move or touch these stations.
- Abell will return after the extermination has been completed to remove all baits and traps. This should be arranged prior to service.
If you require professional house mouse extermination or control, please send us your information and we will be happy to help!
