A house mouse is a small rodent that has fur coloring from light brown to dark gray, a pointed snout, large ears, and a long tail. It is about 3 inches long not including their tail and weighs between 0.5 and 1 ounce. It is one of the most common rodents in the world and can adapt to almost any environment including the winter weather of Madison, Wisconsin. It is also a commensal rodent, which means it lives close to humans and shares their food sources.
Why is a house mouse a problem?
A house mouse is a problem for several reasons:
It is a prolific breeder. A female house mouse can mature at 35 days and can produce a litter of 6 to 8 babies every 21 days. This means that a single pair of mice can produce hundreds of offspring in a year.
It is a contaminator. A house mouse will gnaw through food packages and leave behind urine and feces on your counters, plates, and food handling surfaces. It can also spread many germs and diseases, such as salmonella, hantavirus, leptospirosis, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis. These diseases can affect humans and pets and can cause serious health problems.
It is a destroyer. A house mouse will gnaw on wires, insulation, wood, plastic, and other materials. It can damage your equipment, furniture, appliances, and even cause fires. It can also create holes and nests in your walls, ceilings, floors, and attics.
How can you identify a house mouse?
You can identify a house mouse by its appearance, behavior, and signs of activity. Some clues that you have a house mouse infestation are:
Droppings: House mouse droppings are small, black, rod-shaped pellets that are about 1/8 inch long. You may find them along walls, under furniture, in cabinets, or near food sources.
Tracks: House mouse tracks are tiny footprints that may be visible on dusty or dirty surfaces. You may also see tail marks or drag marks between the footprints.
Gnaw marks: House mouse gnaw marks are small holes or scratches that may appear on food packages, woodwork, wires, or other materials. They may also leave behind wood shavings or plastic fragments.
Nests: House mouse nests are made of shredded paper, fabric, insulation, or other soft materials. They are usually hidden in dark and secluded places, such as behind appliances, under furniture, in wall voids, or in attics.
Sounds: House mouse sounds are squeaks or rustling noises that may be heard at night when they are active. You may also hear scratching or gnawing sounds from inside your walls or ceilings.
How can you prevent and control a house mouse?
The best way to prevent and control a house mouse is to contact a professional pest control company like us. At Kwik Kill Pest Control, we have the experience, equipment, and products to quickly eliminate them and prevent their return. We will inspect your property, identify the source of the infestation, seal any entry points, set up bait stations and monitor the situation on site. However, there are also some things that you can do to reduce the risk of attracting or harboring a house mouse:
Keep your property clean and tidy. Remove any clutter or debris that may provide shelter or nesting materials for mice.
Store your food in sealed containers or in the refrigerator. Dispose of any garbage regularly and keep your trash cans covered.
Seal any cracks or gaps in your walls, floors, doors, windows, pipes, vents, or roof that may allow mice to enter or escape.
Trim any branches or vegetation that may touch your building or provide access for mice.
Use repellents or deterrents such as peppermint oil, mothballs, ultrasonic devices, or predator urine to discourage mice from entering or staying in your property.
There are many types of common pests that routinely invade homes in the Madison area. At Kwik Kill, we are experts in solving each one of these unique pest control problems.
As the season’s change, so do the types of pests that can invade your home. We have pest control solutions for any time of year, whether it’s raining, snowing or sunny outside.
