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House Mouse- Mus musculus
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Characteristics
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Ears: Large in proportion to body
Snout: Pointed
Weight & Size adult: Approx.3/4-1 oz. / 6-7 inches in length
(tip of nose to end of tail)
Fur: Silky dusty gray, brown-gray.
Droppings: Approximately 1/4 inch long, pointed at both ends.
About the size of rice but dark in color.
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Biology
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| Young mice reach sexual maturity
in approx. 1 1/2 months and they will have up to 8 litters per year, with
an average litter size of 5-6 young. Mice have a life span of less than
12 months in the wild. Indoors the house mouse generally prefers
to live in wall voids, under spaces below cabinets & furniture and
under the insulation of basements and attics. Mice are omnivores
and will consume the same foods as humans. Mice do not need a daily water
sourceas they can metabolize water from the foods they consume. Mice usually
live in a teritory of 10-20 feet for this reason it is necessary to make
many trap and bait placements to cover an entire house or structure. Mice
are nocturnal, with their peak activity at dusk or before dawn.You may
see activity during the day when the populations are high. |
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Control
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Control of mice starts with a
thorough inspection of the exterior rodent entrance ways, harborages and
the internal and external sources of food. The inspection will determine
the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach that will combine all efforts
such a exclusion, prevention, sanitation, mechanical and chemical control
procedures. It is important to eliminate the rodents quickly so the least
amount of environmental contamination and structural damage will occur.
Harborages: Mice prefer the cover of tail grass, shrubs
and leaf litter. It is important to remove accumulated leaf debris from
around the structure. Making sure the grass is kept at a low level this
will also reduce the amount of mice in and around the structure. Bushes
and tree limbs should be trimmed away from the house as to prevent
easy access to the roof of the structure. Mice can invade attics where
they will feed on seeds and acorns found in the gutters of homes. Be sure
to clean the gutters regularly. Store firewood away from the structure
and keep the firewood off the ground where possible.
Entrance ways: A young mouse can pass through an
opening the size of a dime! It is important to inspect for these openings
around doorways, garage doors, pipe openings and vent pipe openings. Holes
can be sealed temporarily with steal or copper wool or with foam and silicon
caulking. A more permanent solution wood be to cement openings where possible
or repair the area with wood, siding or sheet metal where applicable. Don't
forget to inspect the bottom of the doorways and install metal door sweeps
as necessary.
Food sources: Mice or omnivores and will consume
seeds, grains and nuts as well as insects, slugs and worms outdoors. Indoors
they feed on dried pet foods, cereals, chocolate, candy and all grains
& seeds including grass seeds. Common outdoor sources of food are bird
feeders, vegetable gardens, trash containers, pet foods and barbecues.
Indoors they will invade pantries, pet bowls, stored bird and grass seeds
in garages and basements.
Control options: There are several baits and devices
that are used to eliminate mice. Some of which are snap traps, glueboards
and rodent bait blocks. Always place rodent control devices against walls
in areas of activity. Allow some time for the rodent to get used to these
new objects. Make sure the traps are perpendicular to the wall with the
trigger against the wall. Some favorite baits for rat snap traps are peanut
butter, bacon, cheese or cotton balls for nesting material. You can use
dental floss to help keep the bait on the trap. When using rodenticide
baits be absolutely sure that the bait can not be accessed by children
or pets! |
Schedule on appointment online
410.288.9300 in Baltimore
Toll Free: 1.866.4.AllPest
Click here to purchase do it yourself Rat or Mouse control products at our online store
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