What Are House Mice and How Common Are They?
House mice are rodents found all throughout the United States in areas where humans live. While they might look cute, these rodents can not only wreak havoc on your home but also pose a threat to the health of you and your family so it’s important to act quickly when you spot them in your home.
What do house mice look like?
House mice are usually two to four inches long and weigh less than one ounce. They range in color from light brown to light gray. Their bodies are small and slender, and are covered in short hair. This type of mouse’s most distinguishing features are its large ears, pointed snout, and small eyes and feet.
How rapidly do house mice reproduce?
These pests mature quickly and can produce offspring at just two months old. A typical house mouse may have upward of 50 offspring in its lifetime, producing a litter every 40-50 days with up to seven offspring per litter. The typical house mouse lives for about one year.
How do mice communicate?
Mice have a good sense of hearing and they communicate by producing a squeaking noise, which humans can occasionally hear. They are typically nocturnal, which is why you may hear them moving about at night. House mice eat about 20 times each day and are omnivorous.
Where do house mice live?
House mice will usually live in burrows, beneath debris, or in piles of leaves outdoors. However, once they discover the indoors, they like to make their homes by nesting in walls or any sheltered location. In addition, they can commonly be found in and around commercial structures, agricultural land, and open fields.
Why should I be concerned about house mice?
House mice are a cause for concern because of the damage they can leave behind, as well as their ability to contaminate food and damage food packaging. House mice are known to damage drywall, plastic, wood, and even clothes because they gnaw on various materials to help file their growing teeth to keep the length under control. This can lead to compromised furniture and building structures, as well as damaged electrical wires which can pose a fire hazard.
When it comes to disease transmission, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s list of diseases transmitted by house mice is limited to just a few, with most not posing a huge threat to humans. However, most rodents are known to spread salmonella and can trigger allergic reactions and breathing issues for those with asthma.
How to spot house mice
Aside from damage to your home or building, house mice can typically be detected by their droppings, which are rod-shaped.
What to do if you see a mouse and how to prevent future infestations
If you see a mouse, it’s probably not acting alone. Usually, seeing one mouse means there is a larger problem that needs to be addressed right away. While mouse traps from a big-box retailer are a quick fix, it’s certainly no long-term solution. And because mice can fit through holes as small as the size of a dime and openings the size of their head, it’s important to regularly check your home for potential entryways and ensure all gaps around your doors are sealed, and to caulk all cracks and crevices.
The professionals at got bugs? Termite and Solutions can help by ridding your home of any current infestation and keep rodents from coming back. Our rodent control services include a thorough inspection by a trained rodent exterminator, a treatment plan customized to your needs, and our 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Contact Your Local Rodent Control Specialists
If you suspect your home has a mice infestation, don’t hesitate to contact got bugs? Termite and Pest solutions today. We’ll get rid of your rodent problem and give you the peace of mind you need knowing your home is pest-free. Our protection plans start at $29 per month. Contact us now for a rodent control quote.