Although house mice originally came from Central Asia, their presence has spread across the globe. They are now among the most commonly encountered rodents in the U.S.
Much more than just a nuisance, house mice are extremely destructive to property and capable of spreading several deadly diseases. In addition, they breed with alarming speed, which means that if one mouse is seen in a home, there are likely many more lurking in the shadows.
The only way to be certain that a house mouse infestation has been eradicated is to ask a rodent control provider to handle the problem. These pest eradication experts have the tools and knowledge that are needed to ensure that these rodents are gone for good. Moreover, professional exterminators can help homeowners to eliminate access points and other vulnerabilities that make structures more likely to harbor pest infestations.
WHAT DO HOUSE MICE LOOK LIKE?
House mice are quite small, with their bodies usually measuring about two-and-a-half to three-and-three-quarter-inches. Their tails are an additional three to four inches long. Covered in a dusty gray color on their backs, the house mouse's belly is a cream color. Their muzzles are pointed, their bodies rounded and their oversized ears have sparse hairs.
WHAT DO HOUSE MICE EAT?
House mice are classified as omnivorous, but they usually prefer natural items such as seeds, fruits and grains. This preference means that they are particularly destructive to crops and orchards as well as flower and produce gardens.
When house mice make their way indoors, they tend to seek out foods that are high in carbohydrates. Chocolate is a favorite, as are any baked goods or things like pasta, rice and bread.
WHERE DO HOUSE MICE LIVE?
As their name implies, house mouse prefer to live within human habitations. This behavior is particularly pronounced and noticeable during the colder fall and winter months. Likely nesting locations include basements, attics, crawl spaces, storage boxes, wall voids, cabinets, drawers, closets and sheds.
One of the main requirements of the house mouse's nest is that it be located within about 30 to 50 feet of sources for food and water. Consequently, nesting locations are likely to be found around kitchens and dining rooms, but when an infestation is particularly large, it may be necessary for the mouse population to spread its nesting locations throughout the structure.
During the spring and summer, some house mice may relocate to an outdoor underground burrow for nesting because food sources are so plentiful. However, it is just as likely that some house mice will remain in the structure for the sake of convenience.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY HOUSE MICE
This tiny mouse is capable of causing destruction through numerous means including nest building, the elimination of waste products and constant gnawing.
In fact, house mice and other rodents will chew on almost anything they encounter. This may include books, clothing and documents as well as sheetrock, shingles and wooden building frames.
Additionally, mice are extremely prone to chewing on the insulation that is used to protect wiring. This behavior may cause electrical shorts or even a house fire.
Mice may focus their nesting activities on large kitchen appliances, on which they will gnaw through wiring and insulation. Once again, this may cause the appliance to stop working, and this behavior also represents a fire hazard.
House mice also shred a multitude of items as they construct a nest. This includes upholstered furniture, clothing and even the insulation in walls and attics.
As the mouse population moves around the house, they leave trails of droppings and urine wherever they go. All surfaces contaminated by waste products must be disinfected to keep them clean and safe for human use. Moreover, eliminating this waste ensures that there is no trail for other hungry, curious mice to follow.
ARE HOUSE MICE AGGRESSIVE?
House mice are most likely to show aggression to other members of their species, as territorial disputes can become quite heated. Usually, they try to avoid encounters with people, preferring to run away and hide rather than face a fight.
Nonetheless, a mouse that is backed into a corner or otherwise feels threatened can easily turn aggressive. Members of the species will bite and scratch, and considering their propensity to spread illness, this is an encounter that most people want to avoid.
DO HOUSE MICE CARRY DISEASE?
According to scientists, mice may spread as many as 35 distinct diseases. They do this through their feces and urine, through the parasites to which they are hosts and through bites.
Mouse droppings are capable of making people sick, proving that direct contact between a person and a mouse is not necessary to become ill. Hantavirus, salmonella and Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis are three of the most common diseases that are spread via contact with mouse feces, urine or contaminated nesting materials.
House mice may carry dozens of parasites like ticks, which are responsible for spreading illnesses such as Colorado tick fever and Lyme disease. With a single bite, a human victim may contract rat-bite fever from a small house mouse.
HOW TO DETECT HOUSE MICE
House mouse control may be needed when these signs are present:
• Gnaw marks on furniture, books or other items • Finding shredded clothing, towels and sheets • Smelling a musky odor • Discovering a nest in a cupboard or drawer • Seeing a mouse in the kitchen or pantry • Finding evidence that food has been tampered with
HOW TO PREVENT HOUSE MICE
Reducing the risk of a house mouse issue should involve these primary precautions:
• Identify and cover up any holes or cracks in building exteriors that mice can use as access points • Keep garbage cans clean • Use only garbage cans with tight lids • Fix plumbing and irrigation leaks as soon as they are discovered • Eliminate clutter the home's interior and exterior • Do not allow trees and shrubs to touch building exteriors • Clear away spills and crumbs as soon as they occur • Store food in glass or metal containers with lids • Put pet food out only at mealtimes
HOW TO TREAT FOR RODENTS
Successful rodent control typically involves a series of steps, including trapping, poison baits, along with proper species identification.
Those who suspect a rodent problem should contact Newtown Termite & Pest Control. Our experienced pest control professionals know how to inspect a structure to determine the type and scope of the infestation involved. They will then execute the appropriate plan of action to resolve the specific rodent issue plaguing your home or business while identifying entry points to help protect against future problems.
