Common House Mouse
Common House Mouse
A female house mouse can produce 6 baby mice every three weeks. At that rate, a considerable infestation can occur very quickly from what once was a small colony. The Common House Mouse is not only an annoying problem, but they are also a significant health risk.
The House Mouse is normally between 2.5 and 3.75 inches long, with long tails of up to 4 inches. They are a grey color and have cream undersides. They prefer to eat grain-based foods but are not fussy and will eat seeds, insects, nuts, and fruits. Once they get into a house they will expand their diet to suit whatever is available.
Tell-Tale Signs
Mice are small and there are countless places for them to keep out of sight, and when they hear you coming they will typically head for cover. However, there are many signs that you can look out for. These may include the following.
Gnaw Marks
You may find where the mouse has been gnawing on something. The appearance of the mark may be either rough or smooth.
Droppings
A common sign is finding mice dropping around the house. They are typically around 1/8th to 1/4 of an inch long and rod-shaped.
Burrows
You may find burrows that the mice have furnished with insulating material.
Odor
If you have a large population of house mice then you may start to pick up a distinct smell from their urine.
Food Packets Damaged
You may find that mice have gnawed their way into food packaging
A Mouse
You may see a mouse scurrying for cover when you enter a room. You can be certain that if you see one, then there are a lot more on the property.
Prevention
Fill all exterior holes around the property, even those as small as a coin or wide as a pencil in the case of cracks. Fill gaps with steel wool or silicone-based materials. Reduce clutter so there are fewer places to hide, and store boxes off the floor. Do not leave crumbs on top of work counters, and store food in glass or metal containers.
Getting Rid of House Mice
If you believe you have a problem with mice, then it is best to contact a professional at the earliest possible point. Allowing the numbers to increase will simply add to the damage they are doing, and increase the risk to the health of your family.
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