MICE – No Mickey Mouse Matter
Although mice can be cute little pets in cages and some owners actually enjoy exhibiting their mice at shows, they can also cause damage and carry disease when not domesticated. It is not hard to believe that mice are still considered to be acceptable house pets since in ancient Greek and Roman societies they were notably featured as subjects of art. The albino form of mouse is bred and used for laboratory studies.
Currently we can account for more than 300 different species of mice native to the United States. Unlike rats, mice have hands and feet that are directly proportioned to their bodies, ears that are fairly large and distinct with small, round and shiny black eyes. As adults, they vary little in size, commonly about 3-1/2 inches long and ½ ounce in weight. Generally grayish in color, some may be light brown to dark gray with underbellies slightly lighter or a very light cream color. The tail of a mouse is about as long as the body and head combined.
Mice infestations are probably 10-20 times more common than rat infestations. Reproducing rapidly and prolifically, an average litter size is about six and females are capable of producing a litter once every 50 days. They enjoy just about any kind of food humans do, foraging on a varied diet including grains, meats, cereals, fruits and seeds. Favorite beverages include sweet liquids to pure water.
Mice are known as excellent climbers and can run up almost any abrasive surface without a problem. They can swim, jump and run horizontally along wires, ropes, tree branches and pipes. They can survive and even thrive in cold storage and are able to squeeze through a hole just larger than 1/4“ in diameter. Mice are known to be the culprits of structure fires as they chew on electrical wires. Although they are not completely blind (as the nursery rhyme suggests), they have poor sight and cannot see clearly beyond about 6”. Mice can spread disease to humans by biting, infecting food supplies with their droppings and urine and contaminating water supplies with organisms found in their bodies.
Although the most effective form of mouse control is still believed to be exclusion, if an infestation of mice already exists, baiting is almost always necessary.
Keeping the health of the occupants of your home or structure as the first priority, we offer several different approved pest control techniques for the treatment of mice. These methods may include baiting, live trapping, snap traps and/or the use of glue boards or tracking powders. Because each occurrence is different, treatments will be employed as applicable in specific situations.
Mice can be an unwelcome presence in your home. Not only do they present a health hazard to humans but they can also be unnerving, disrupting your peaceful home or building. It is for this reason that we suggest quick and decisive action when signs of mice are noticed. The earlier the problem is addressed, the more effective the treatment will be.
