The House Mouse
The most common of all the rodent pests that may invade your home, the house mouse reproduces rapidly. A single pair of house mice in your home can quickly multiply to a full-blown infestation.
With one female mouse birthing six babies every three weeks, a mouse infestation is no joking matter. Know how to identify signs of a mice infestation, as well as what to do when you think you may have a problem on your hands.
HOW TO IDENTIFY HOUSE MICE
House mice are smaller than the other common rodent pest–rats–and are a dusty gray color. They will have pale white bellies and a rounded shape. These pests are roughly two to three inches long and are found throughout the United States. Generally, mice move in packs. If you see one mouse, you likely have more.
Appearance, Behavior, and Signs
House Mouse
House mice eat a variety of foods but prefer cereal grains, seeds, and insects. However, in times of starvation, they will even eat meat or other food products.
They are mostly blind and unable to see colors and have difficulty looking beyond six inches. They can jump up to a foot high in their quest for food and security.
Mice live for less than a year and a half, but in that time period have the ability to inflict major amounts of damage.
House mice produce litters of up to six individuals, around eight times a year. This prolific pattern means that a single mouse can quickly spawn a huge infestation.
House mice prefer to live outdoors, nesting in dark, quiet areas. They build their nests out of fabric and paper products but have also been known to make them out of wall insulation and other similar materials.
They can enter into homes through small holes, and have even been known to gnaw through materials in order to gain entry.