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(House Mouse)
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(Deer Mouse)
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HOUSE MOUSE
Mus musculus
House Mouse Characteristics:
- The most common species of mouse found around the world
- The most widespread mammal on earth next to humans
- Due to their small size they require small amounts of food and space to survive
- Mice are extremely adaptable and capable of surviving in many types of environments
- Fur colour is generally grayish-brown on topside and the underside is a light cream colour
- The adult body is small and slender, 2-3 ½ inches in length
- The tail measures 3-4 inches in length, with a semi-naked appearance and is longer than the mouse's head and body
- A mouse's ears are quite large relative to the size of the rodent
- They will consume almost any type of food (i.e. seeds, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats etc…)
House Mouse Reproduction:
- Mice are prolific breeders (5-10 litters per year)
- A female mouse can produce 3-12 pups per litter
- Capable of producing a litter every 24-28 days
- Gestation is 19-21 days
- Young mice reach sexual maturity in 5-8 weeks
- Lifespan is between 1-2 years
House Mouse Signs of Infestation
- They have small spindle shaped droppings measuring about ¼ inch in length
- Damaged food, boxes, wires, etc…
- Holes in structure
- Excellent climbers and can infest all areas of a structure including skyscrapers
- In buildings nests are found in walls, closets, ceiling voids, cabinet voids, appliance voids, storage areas, furniture etc…
- Mice have been known to live in storage coolers as cold as -10 degrees Fahrenheit
- A mouse's typical home range is between 10-30 ft in diameter
- Territories may be 3-dimensional; mice can travel along walls, between floors to and from upper or lower levels within a structure.
House Mouse Control Techniques
Several control methods are available, but a professional inspection is highly recommended to determine the most effective control strategy. Some helpful suggestions when dealing with mice include:
- Exclusion by sealing openings in walls less than 1/4 inch using materials such as sheet metal, galvanized hardware cloth, steel, concrete, steel wool, copper wool etc…
- Ensure doors remain closed at all times when not in use and proper thresholds are in place to prevent possible pest entry
- Eliminate water, garbage and debris available around structure and property
- If the available food contains moisture content at or above 16%, water is not essential to their survival. This makes eliminating water sources impractical to achieving control of House Mice.
- Keep grass, weeds and bushes trimmed short to reduce coverage around building perimeter
- Trim all tree branches and shrubs that make contact with the structure
- Store food and items 12-15 inches off floor and away from walls to ensure easy sanitation and proper inspection
- Store food items in rodent proof containers to reduce odour attractiveness
- Several mechanical trapping devices and baiting techniques are available and can be very effective if performed correctly
References:
Ballenger, L. 1999. "Mus musculus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed May 15, 2009 at
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Mus_musculus.html.
Benett, Gary W., et.al.. Truman’s Scientific Guide to Pest Control Operations. Duluth: Advanstar Communications, 1988. Pp. 308-310, 315, 326-327.
Please click here to contact a Focus Pest Control professional to inquire about further treatments for this pest species.
DEER MOUSE
Peromyscus maniculatus
Deer Mouse General Characteristics:
- North American species distributed from Alaska and Canada southward to central Mexico
- Most common habitats are prairies, bushy areas, and woodlands, but can be found in alpine habitats, northern boreal forest, desert, grassland, agricultural fields, southern woodland, and arid upper tropical habitats
- Length is similar to house mouse at 4.69 – 8.74 inches (total length)
- Mass is 10 – 24g
- Although similar to the house mouse the eyes and ears of the deer mouse are visibly larger
- Colouration is grayish to reddish brown with white under-parts
- Eats a wide variety of plant and animal matter depending on what is available, including insects and other invertebrates, seeds, fruits, flowers, nuts, and other plant products
Deer Mouse Reproduction:
- Litters containing from 1 to 11 young (Typical is 4-6 young)
- Breeds approximately 3-4 times monthly during warm months but less frequently during cold months
- Gestation period ranges from 22.4 -30.6 days
- May not reproduce during unfavourable seasons
- Young are weaned between 25 and 35 days and will typically leave nest and exist independent of mother
- Lifespan in the wild is usually less than one year but can live for up to eight years in captivity
Deer Mouse Signs of Infestation:
- They have small spindle shaped droppings measuring about ¼ inch in length
- Damaged food, boxes, wires, etc…
- Holes in structure
- Excellent climbers and can infest all areas of a structure including skyscrapers
- In buildings nests are found in walls, closets, ceiling voids, cabinet voids, appliance voids, storage areas, furniture etc…
- Mice have been known to live in storage coolers as cold as -10 degrees Fahrenheit
- Territories may be 3-dimensional; mice can travel along walls, between floors to and from upper or lower levels within a structure.
Deer Mouse Control Techniques:
Several control methods are available, but a professional inspection is highly recommended to determine the most effective control strategy. Some helpful suggestions when dealing with mice include:
- Exclusion by sealing openings in walls less than 1/4 inch using materials such as sheet metal, galvanized hardware cloth, steel, concrete, steel wool, copper wool etc…
- Ensure doors remain closed at all times when not in use and proper thresholds are in place to prevent possible pest entry
- Eliminate water, garbage and debris available around structure and property
- Keep grass, weeds and bushes trimmed short to reduce coverage around building perimeter
- Trim all tree branches and shrubs that make contact with the structure
- Store food and items 12-15 inches off floor and away from walls to ensure easy sanitation and proper inspection
- Store food items in rodent proof containers to reduce odour attractiveness
- Several mechanical trapping devices and baiting techniques are available and can be very effective if performed correctly
Please click here to contact a Focus Pest Control professional to inquire about further treatments for this pest species.
References:
Benett, Gary W., et.al.. Truman’s Scientific Guide to Pest Control Operations. Duluth: Advanstar Communications, 1988.
p. 357.
Bunker, A. 2001. "Peromyscus maniculatus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed November 16,
2009 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Peromyscus_maniculatus.html.
Disclaimer:
The Focus Pest Control ‘Pest Library’ is an educational resource written largely to educate the general public about common pests in Ontario. The Focus ‘Pest Library’ does not include all species in Ontario, nor does it include the most recent scientific data about species we describe. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While Focus Pest Control staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control.
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