Mouse

Mice are one of the most common pests that homeowners and businesses face in Madison Wisconsin. They can cause damage to property, contaminate food, and transmit disease.

Field Mouse

The field mouse, also known as the deer mouse or the white-footed mouse, is a small rodent that lives in rural and suburban areas. They are usually brown to dark brown with a white belly and have large ears measuring up to ½ inch. They have a long tail that is hairless and about the same length as their body. They weigh between ½ and 1 ounce and have four toes on their front feet and five toes on their back feet. Females have 10 teats, and their droppings are 1/8-1/4 inch long and tapered on both ends.

The field mouse has a short gestation period of about two weeks, and each litter averages 5-6 pups. The pups, or pinkies, are born blind, deaf, and hairless. Their hair begins developing immediately, their hearing develops after three days, and their eyes open after one week. Males reach sexual maturity in 5-10 weeks, and females reach sexual maturity in 10-12 weeks. The average lifespan of a field mouse in the wild is 1-2 years, due to having many predators such as dogs, cats, hawks, owls, snakes, coyotes, foxes, etc. Females can have a litter every 4-6 weeks year round.

The field mouse is mostly nocturnal and sleeps 12 hours per day. They communicate with each other using ultrasonic waves and sound waves. They can jump up to 18 inches vertically, and their heart beats up to 630 beats per minute. They have a range of 15-25 feet from their nest, due to their high level of predators. They often create 2-inch or smaller runs through blown-in insulation in attics.

To control field mice effectively, it is important to use bait stations with rodenticide. Since they have many meals, more bait stations with less rodenticide in each station is more effective than fewer bait stations with more rodenticide. Field mice are capable of fitting through a hole that is ¼ inch (6-7mm) in diameter, so it is also important to seal any gaps or cracks in the walls, floors, or ceilings that they can use to enter.

House Mouse

The house mouse is a gray or light brown rodent that lives in urban and residential areas. They are usually 5.5-7.5 inches long including the tail, which is about 3-4 inches long. They have short fur, weigh between ½ and 1 ounce, and have four toes on their front feet and five toes on their back feet. Females have 10 teats, and their droppings are 1/8-1/4 inch long and tapered on both ends.

The house mouse has a gestation period of about 19-21 days, and each litter averages 6-8 pups. The pups are born blind, deaf, and hairless. Their hair begins developing immediately, their hearing develops after three days, and their eyes open after one week. Males reach sexual maturity in 5-10 weeks, and females reach sexual maturity in 10-12 weeks. The average lifespan of a house mouse in the wild is 9-12 months, due to having many predators such as dogs, cats, hawks, owls, snakes, coyotes, foxes, etc. They can live up to three years in ideal conditions. Females average 5-10 litters per year.

The house mouse is also mostly nocturnal and sleeps 12 hours per day. They communicate with each other using ultrasonic waves and sound waves. They can jump up to 13 inches in the air, have 16 teeth that do not lose teeth, and their feces can carry bacterium that causes food poisoning.

To control house mice effectively, it is important to use snap traps or mechanical traps baited with peanut butter instead of rodenticide. This is because house mice may not be attracted to rodenticide due to competing food sources. If snap traps or mechanical traps are used indoors, a follow-up service is required to pick up the equipment. House mice are also capable of fitting through a hole that is ¼ inch (6-7mm) in diameter, so it is also important to seal any gaps or cracks in the walls, floors, or ceilings that they can use to enter.

Mice are a common and troublesome pest in Madison Wisconsin. They can cause damage, contamination, and disease. By knowing how to identify the field mouse and the house mouse, and how to control them effectively and safely, you can protect your home or business from these unwanted invaders. If you need professional help with mice control, contact Kwik Kill Pest Control today for an estimate. We have the experience and expertise to handle mice invading your home or business.

Kwik Kill Services to Control Mice

https://wildlifedamage.cals.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/289/2020/10/WildlifeDamage-Vole-6-2020.pdf
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/vole-damage
https://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/voles/pest-notes/