Mice are very adept at surviving indoors, and, more importantly, surviving pest control efforts. However, if you are armed with the right set of facts, you can be more effective in removing these pests from your home. Here are some facts you should know before you attempt to control a house mouse infestation:
Mice are social animals
If you see one mouse in your home or garage, odds are that there are more lurking in the shadows. The best way to figure out the extent of the infestation is to look for droppings and the amount of food that has been consumed by the pests.
Mice live in small areas
The house mouse, being a small animal, will choose to live in a very confined space. It will also travel very little, often not going farther than 25 feet in search for food. However, in times of scarcity, it may venture out further, although this is uncommon. This means that if you spot droppings with distances of more than 25 feet between them, you either have a very hungry mouse, or there are two mouse clans in your home.
Mice are territorial
Much like dogs, mice will mark their territory with urine. This means that you will likely sense a distinct smell in your home if you have a mouse infestation. The mice will also check their territory every day to see if anything has changed. This behavior allows them to escape traps.
Mice are very fast breeders
One female mouse is able to give birth to as many as eight babies every twenty days. From there, it takes six weeks until the mice reach sexual maturity, and one female can birth up to ten litters each year. Mice also have a lifespan of four years, so if a couple of mice manage to enter the home, the infestation can get out of control very quickly.
Mice are very adept at squeezing through gaps
Mice have a collapsible skeleton, and the only limit on their ability to squeeze through gaps is the size of their cranium. They can easily get through holes as small as a quarter of an inch, which is basically the size of a pencil eraser. This is why they are so prolific in human settlements.
If you notice mice or mouse droppings in your home, your best bet to get rid of these sneaky animals is to call over a pest control specialist. Contact us today if you have any problems with mice.
